Smith Wildman Brookhart

Republican Senator of Iowa

Senator
Iowa
December 2, 1922 - March 3, 1925
Senator
Iowa
December 7, 1925 - April 12, 1926
Senator
Iowa
December 5, 1927 - March 3, 1933

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1869 (75 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1944

Death

Twice elected as a Republican to represent Iowa in the United States Senate.
Known as an “insurgent” within the Republican Party due to his criticisms of the Harding and Coolidge administrations and of business interests.
His political career was negatively impacted as public support for Prohibition waned.
Born in a cabin on a farm and educated in country schools before graduating with an emphasis in scientific courses.
Taught in schools while studying law, eventually practicing in Washington, Iowa.
Served in the US Army during the Spanish–American War and World War I, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Served as president of the National Rifle Association from 1921 to 1925.
Attempted to build his political campaign around criticism of railroad regulatory legislation and sought to attract blue-collar workers to the Republican Party.
Noted for his refusal to conform to the expected dress code of a US Senator, preferring to wear clothes he wore on the farm.
His Senate seat was contested and eventually lost due to a challenge, but he returned to the Senate by defeating a senior Republican senator in a subsequent election.
Criticized the Federal Reserve and was a fervent supporter of Prohibition, advocating for increased enforcement appropriations.
After his defeat in the 1932 Republican primary, he served as a special advisor on Soviet trade and advocated for US recognition of the Soviet Union.
Made a final attempt to return to the Senate in 1936 but was unsuccessful.
Opened a law office in Washington, DC, before moving to Arizona for health reasons, where he died in 1944.
One of his sons served as an assistant trial counsel at the Nuremberg War Trials.