Willis ran unsuccessfully for Bourke in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1887, but won it as a Protectionist in 1889 and held it to 1894. Willis founded the Truth in 1890.
Willis's attempt to win Bourke in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1887 ended in defeat, but he later succeeded as a Protectionist in 1889 and retained the seat until 1894. In 1890, Willis founded The Truth newspaper.