Career
He was a Republican. A real estate broker by profession, he ran for the United States. House of Representatives in 1972. He expected to face eight-term conservative incumbent Democrat Walter Baring in the general election. However, Baring was defeated in the Democratic primary by a considerably more liberal Democrat, James Bilbray.
In 1974, Towell ran for reelection, but was soundly defeated by a more conservative Democrat, former judge Jim Santini.
Towell ran for the United States. Senate in 1976 against incumbent Democrat Howard Cannon, but lost by an overwhelming margin. Afterwards, he resumed the real estate business.