Changes

After running as a [[Democrat]] in the 1868 elections for the House of Representatives against incumbent [[Radical Republican]] Horace Maynard and losing by a landslide,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=627167 TN - District 02 Race - Nov 03, 1868]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> Houk was victorious when running for the same seat a decade later in the 1878 midterms as a Republican,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=627276 TN - District 02 Race - Nov 05, 1878]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> and re-elected six times.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=233331 Candidate - Leonidas C. Houk]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref>

After running as a [[Democrat]] in the 1868 elections for the House of Representatives against incumbent [[Radical Republican]] Horace Maynard and losing by a landslide,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=627167 TN - District 02 Race - Nov 03, 1868]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> Houk was victorious when running for the same seat a decade later in the 1878 midterms as a Republican,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=627276 TN - District 02 Race - Nov 05, 1878]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> and re-elected six times.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=233331 Candidate - Leonidas C. Houk]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref>

Largely focusing on local as opposed to national issues, Houk emphasized constituents services and provided aid to veterans.<ref name=knoxvillefocus/>

A member of the [[Stalwart]] faction in the House,<ref>[https://prabook.com/web/leonidas.houk/3759312 Lenoidas Houk]. ''Prabook''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> Houk supported Grant in his run for a third non-consecutive presidential term in [[United States presidential election, 1880|1880 election]].<ref name=tennesseeencyclopedia/> He also expressed sympathy for the struggles of poor farmers, reflecting a [[populist]] bent in his district due to the mountainous geographic nature stifling development and thus contributing to poverty.

A member of the [[Stalwart]] faction in the House,<ref>[https://prabook.com/web/leonidas.houk/3759312 Lenoidas Houk]. ''Prabook''. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> Houk supported Grant in his run for a third non-consecutive presidential term in [[United States presidential election, 1880|1880 election]].<ref name=tennesseeencyclopedia/> He also expressed sympathy for the struggles of poor farmers, reflecting a [[populist]] bent in his district due to the mountainous geographic nature stifling development and thus contributing to poverty.

Largely focusing on local as opposed to national issues, Houk emphasized constituents services and provided aid to veterans.<ref name=knoxvillefocus/> He managed to consolidate political power within the state GOP, subsequently gaining control of [[patronage]]. This ultimately led to an alliance with some [[Democrats]] in the state, which led to substantial criticisms.<ref name=knoxvillefocus/>

In late May 1891, Houk visited a drug store and mistook a bottle of toxic [[arsenic]] for a glass of ice water, which he drank.<ref name=knoxvillefocus/> He died in pain the next day, which came as a shock to the district's constituents.<ref>May 26, 1891. [https://www.nytimes.com/1891/05/26/archives/death-of-congressman-houk-took-arsenic-by-mistake-for-a-glass-of.html DEATH OF CONGRESSMAN HOUK.; TOOK ARSENIC BY MISTAKE FOR A GLASS OF ICE WATER.]. ''The New York Times''. Archived version available [https://archive.is/sD7ZC here]. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> Houk is interred at the Old Gray Cemetery.

In late May 1891, Houk visited a drug store and mistook a bottle of toxic [[arsenic]] for a glass of ice water, which he drank.<ref name=knoxvillefocus/> He died in pain the next day, which came as a shock to the district's constituents.<ref>May 26, 1891. [https://www.nytimes.com/1891/05/26/archives/death-of-congressman-houk-took-arsenic-by-mistake-for-a-glass-of.html DEATH OF CONGRESSMAN HOUK.; TOOK ARSENIC BY MISTAKE FOR A GLASS OF ICE WATER.]. ''The New York Times''. Archived version available [https://archive.is/sD7ZC here]. Retrieved August 25, 2021.</ref> Houk is interred at the Old Gray Cemetery.