[1] A member of the Byrd Organization, Hutcheson opposed racial integration and was active in the Massive Resistance vowed by U.S.
Joseph was named after his grandfather, a substantial landowner and justice of the peace, but who failed his one attempt at election to the Virginia General Assembly.
One branch of the family moved to Houston, Texas after the American Civil War, so he is related to Judge Joseph Chappell Hutcheson.
Upon returning from his wartime service, Hutcheson was elected mayor of Lawrenceville, Virginia, and served from September 1, 1946, until December 31, 1947.
[3] James T. Edmunds of Kenbridge, Virginia defeated him in the 1971 Democratic primary and ran unopposed in the general election, although later convicted of embezzlement and disbarred.