Prior to running for the House and Senate, he had been a member of the Fairmont and the East Chain school boards.
During his time in the legislature, he served all or portions of Blue Earth, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Jackson, Martin, Nobles, Waseca and Watonwan counties in the southern part of the state.
[1] Peterson was a member of the Commerce and Economic Development, Education, Health and Welfare, Labor-Management Relations, and Taxes committees in the House.
His special legislative concerns included education, agriculture, and job development.
[1] In 1986, Governor Rudy Perpich appointed Peterson to be a commissioner on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.