L. W. Housel graduated from Yale University and Yale Law School, where he worked as a newspaper reporter. He began his political career in Connecticut, drafting a bill to limit the working day to eight hours. Housel relocated to Iowa, where he entered private practice and consistently sought various state offices as a Democrat. Despite multiple unsuccessful runs, he remained active in state politics, advocating for fiscal measures during the Great Depression. Housel's career was marked by a commitment to public service and progressive labor policies.

L. W. Housel's political career is marked by an intriguing blend of progressive labor reforms and fiscal conservatism, particularly evident in his efforts to limit working hours while simultaneously advocating for drastic state budget cuts. His consistent Democratic alignment in a Republican-leaning state showcases a strategic resilience and ideological steadfastness. Housel's approach reveals a complex balancing act between progressive ideals and economic pragmatism, leaving one to wonder how he reconciles these seemingly divergent policy stances.