[2] In 1978, Humphrey won election to the U.S. Senate, despite being only a local Republican activist holding no political office.

Humphrey's 18-month campaign was run for the most part by himself and Patricia Green, a former New York City schoolteacher whom he married just after the four-way GOP primary that September.

According to a New York Times article written a month after the election, she was "considered the strongest force in his camp and is expected to have a strong influence on his Washington staff".

[2] Humphrey was easily reelected in 1984, defeating five-term Democratic U.S. congressman Norman D'Amours.

Humphrey played a major role at the 1988 Republican National Convention as a leader and spokesman for right-wing delegates.

Humphrey returned to New Hampshire politics in 2000 by challenging incumbent Governor Jeanne Shaheen.

Humphrey pledged to block attempts to enact such taxes, but was narrowly defeated in a contentious campaign.

[8] Journalist Glenn Greenwald reported that Humphrey, a former member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, contacted Snowden via email, telling him that, "Provided you have not leaked information that would put in harms [sic] way any intelligence agent, I believe you have done the right thing in exposing what I regard as massive violation of the United States Constitution.

"[9] Humphrey complained to Snowden that "no effort is being made to identify, remove from office and bring to justice those officials who have abused power, seriously and repeatedly violating the Constitution of the United States and the rights of millions of unsuspecting citizens."