[2] He also became a prominent member of the Socialist Party of Canada, which at the time represented the left-wing of the labour movement in Manitoba.

[12] Russell, still serving his sentence, ran as an SPC candidate in the constituency of Winnipeg, which elected ten members by a single transferable ballot.

He came close to being elected, finishing ninth on the first count and missing the tenth seat by only sixty-two votes on the final tally.

Russell's fellow prisoner George Armstrong was elected, making him the only SPC member ever to serve in the Manitoba legislature.

[13] Russell also ran for the Socialist Party of Canada in the 1921 federal election, contesting the single-member riding of Winnipeg North.