Schulz is credited with getting the Apartment Renter's Tax Relief Bill passed through the state legislature, which led to his involvement in politics.
Schulz's first foray into seeking political office began with the 1978 gubernatorial election, where he ran as a Democratic candidate, challenging incumbent Governor Wesley Bolin.
Following the death of Bolin in March 1978, Schulz withdrew from the election and endorsed Bruce Babbitt, who ascended to the governorship.
Schulz announced his intention in 1984 to run for the governorship once again in the 1986 election, but initially withdrew from the race in 1985 due to the health of his daughter.
[4] Despite Schulz leading in many polls leading up to the election, Republican nominee Evan Mecham was elected as Governor, due to the race being split into a three-way contest, and causing the Democratic nominee Carolyn Warner to lose by a narrow margin to Mecham.
[1] Mecham would be impeached from office only two years later, but the 1986 gubernatorial race ended Schulz's political career and he returned to the private sector.