Hughes was born in Durham County, Ontario, and was educated at Hamilton Business College.
Hughes was also a councillor and reeve in the Rural Municipality of Grandview, and served as vice-president of the Agricultural Society.
The Conservatives won a majority government in this election, and Hughes served in the legislature as a backbench supporter of Rodmond Roblin's ministry.
In 1915, the Roblin administration was forced to resign from office amid a serious corruption scandal.
He attempted to return to the legislature in the 1927 provincial election, but lost to Progressive candidate Arthur Berry.