Hunt was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1883 and was a factory worker and loan company inspector until opening his own store in 1912.
He was defeated in 1923 but returned to office in 1924 and continued as the ward's alderman for until he ran for mayor in 1935.
Hunt had earlier announced his candidacy for mayor for the 1931 election but withdrew his nomination in favour of William James Stewart.
[5] Hunt ran again the following year[3] losing to former mayor Sam McBride, with Simpson coming in third place.
Hunt attributed his loss to the "Protestant forces" being divided between himself and Mayor Simpson (who, though a socialist, was also vocally anti-Catholic), while the "Catholic vote" supported McBride.