Hughes then attended Southern University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science.
Hughes has served as the assistant legislative director to former Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco, the regional manager for former US Senator Mary Landrieu, and the Director of Federal Relations for the city of New Orleans.
2015 In 2015, Hughes was a candidate for District 100 in the Louisiana House of Representatives, but he was disqualified from the Democratic primary for failing to file a tax return in 2010.
2019 Hughes ran for the same seat again in 2019 after incumbent John Bagneris decided to run for District 3 in the Louisiana State Senate.
In the nonpartisan primary election, Hughes beat opponent Anthony Jackson Jr. with over 66% of the vote.