As a farmer, he was the regional leader of the Norwegian Agrarian Association from 1956 to 1958. He was also involved in local politics in Ringsaker municipality as a municipal council member from 1951 to 1967; during the last two terms he was a member of the executive committee. From 1963 to 1967 he was a member of Hedmark county council. He chaired the Conservative Party chapter in Hedmark county from 1950 to 1960, and was also a member of its national board from 1950 to 1965. In 1965 he became a member of its central committee. He served as second deputy leader of the party from 1970 to 1972, and deputy leader from 1972 to 1978.