Dole ran for office for the first time in 1950 and was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, being a member for a two-year term. In 1952, he became the County Attorney of Russell County. In 1960, Dole was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Kansas' 6th congressional district. After his first term, Kansas lost a congressional district, and most of Dole's district was merged with the 2nd district to form a new 1st district. Dole was elected from this district in 1962 and was reelected two more times.