 He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Michigan in 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968.Following the 1960 census, Michigan gained one additional seat in Congress due to reapportionment.Despite this change, the state legislature did not create the new 19th district in time for the 1962 elections, so Staebler was elected as an at-large candidate from the Democratic Party to represent Michigan in the 88th Congress, serving from January 3, 1963 to January 3, 1965.