Prior to the 1997 general election, she joined the Progressive Democrats, and stood in the Longford–Roscommon constituency for the party, obtaining 2,289 first preference votes (4.8%), and being eliminated on the second count.
She was re-elected to both Longford Urban District and County Councils in the 1999 local elections, although her first preference vote for both bodies had declined.
At the 2007 general election she lost her seat, polling only 2,298 first preference votes (4.2%) in the new constituency and being eliminated on the third count.
With the dissolution of the Progressive Democrats in 2009, Sexton stood as an independent candidate at the 2009 local elections in Longford.
[3] Sexton ran in the 2011 general election in Longford–Westmeath alongside sitting Labour TD Willie Penrose.