Cronin was elected to the House of Representatives in 1990, after defeating Republican incumbent Gene L. Hoffman on an anti-tax and anti-abortion platform. He supported cutbacks to taxes and government spending, and earned a reputation as a conservative Republican. He then ran for the Senate during the 1992 elections.
Cronin was elected to Congress in 1990, after defeating his Republican opponent Gene L. Hoffman on a platform emphasizing reduced government intervention and opposition to abortion rights. Cronin championed lower taxes and smaller government, earning him a reputation as a conservative Republican. He subsequently ran for the Senate in 1992.