Prior to his elective career, Hansel was a co-owner and vice president for his family's fifth-generation Keene-based business Filtrine Manufacturing Co., a filtration and water cooling company.

[4] In 2014, Hansel won the Republican primary as a candidate for Cheshire 8 of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, but lost in the general election to incumbent Democrat Cynthia Chase [de] by 51 votes.

[6] George also serves on several statewide boards and commissions, including The University System Board of Trustees, the New Hampshire Council for Housing Stability, the New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility, the Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention, and the Governor’s Millennial Advisory Council, [7] Hansel was first elected as mayor in 2019 by a margin of 52.7% to 47.3%.

[12][13] As mayor, Hansel has supported engaging more citizens in the local government aiming to "increase diversity on city boards and commissions.

Hansel has been criticized by Robert Burns, fellow candidate for Congress from New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district, for running a "sanctuary city" as mayor of Keene.