• Office Sought: Representative, Iowa (3)
• Birth Date: Jan. 10, 1934
• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Mormon
• Web site: http://www.boswellforcongress.com/

Education

Graceland College, BA

Leonard L. Boswell was raised on farms in Ringgold and Decatur counties in southern Iowa. He attended public schools in Ringgold County, and graduated from Lamoni High School.

He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Graceland College in Lamoni. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956, entering the military as a private. He served 20 years in the Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

During his service he became a pilot, and served two tours in Vietnam flying helicopters and won two Bronze Stars.

Boswell retired from the Army in 1976, moved back to Iowa and began farming the family operation. In addition, for 13 years he was chairman of the board of the local elevator cooperative.

In 1984, Boswell was elected to the state Senate, where he served until 1996, when was elected to the U.S. House.

Because of redistricting, he announced he would move to Des Moines to run for the 3rd District in 2002.

Boswell's wife, Dody, is a teacher at Graceland University. The couple has three grown children.