In 1935, he was elected as a Liberal Member of the Saskatchewan Legislature representing the constituency of Gravelbourg and was re-elected in 1938.
Walter Adam Tucker won the leadership over the urbane Culliton, a moderate who could have well appealed better to voters during subsequent elections.
Culliton left politics and chaired the committee overseeing the province's 50th anniversary celebration in 1955.
As a judge, he articulated the four factors to be considered in sentencing: deterrence, rehabilitation, punishment and protection of the public.
He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope Paul VI in 1973.