[7] In 1849, as a Freesoiler, Sutliff was elected to represent Trumbull and Geauga counties in the Ohio Senate for the 49th General Assembly.

[8] In 1857, Sutliff was nominated by the Republican Party for Judge of the Ohio Supreme Court, and defeated Democrat Henry C. Whitman in the general election.

In 1872, Sutliff was nominated by the Democrats for United States Representative from Ohio's 19th congressional district, but lost to James A.

His estate, valued at $500,000,[13] left $10,000 in property to the city of Warren to help establish a library.

The Warren Public Library was dedicated February 3, 1906, including its Sutliff lecture room.