[8] In August 1916 Hughes announced that he would be seeking one of the seven seats from Cochise County in the Arizona House of Representatives.
[10][11][12] In 1918 he was one of three candidates running in the Democrat's primary for the two seats from Cochise County in the Arizona State Senate.
[13] Hughes and D. C. O'Neil, both of whom had served in the House during the previous term, became the Democrat's candidates.
[22] Incumbent W. P. Sims, along with C. M. Roberts, who had served in the 3rd Arizona State Legislature, won the primary and went on to win the general election in November.
[23][24] In 1924 Hughes was made the secretary and treasurer of the southwest region of the Hartford Indemnity and Insurance Company.