He then returned to politics and served in the Montana House of Representatives from 1985 to 1991. From there, he went on to serve as Lieutenant Governor for one full term. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000. He won re-election in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010. In 2012, he was defeated. He was succeeded by Steve Daines.