[2] Hedges' political career began in 1929 when he was elected to the Quincy city council.

During World War II, Hedges served for two years and ten months on the air staff of Douglas MacArthur.

After the war, he served in the Massachusetts Air National Guard and retired with the rank of brigadier general.

He defeated the Democrat Peter M. McCormack, who had been appointed to the position following the death of Republican Samuel H. Wragg, by 128,319 votes to 117,843.

[3] During his tenure, Hedges instituted work and education release programs for prison inmates and pushed for the construction of a new county jail.