[1] Haussling began his political career in 1888 with an unsuccessful bid to become Sheriff of Essex County, New Jersey.
His second attempt in 1893 was successful, serving one term until being unseated by Republican Henry Meade Doremus in the following 1896 election.
Ten years later, the two men would again vie for the same position, this time, Mayor of Newark.
In this race, however, Haussling was victorious over the two-term mayor Doremus, in large part due to his strong stance against the unpopular "Bishop's Law", which prohibited the operation of saloons on Sundays.
By his wife's account, the defeat and fall from public favor was difficult on Haussling, who died from suicide nine years later at the age of 66.