 Edward served as editor of the "Iowa Tribune," the central organ of the Populist party of Iowa.He also served as chairman of the Greenback Party's National Committee, and was a delegate to its National Convention in 1876.In 1878, Gillette was elected as a Greenback Party member to the United States House of Representatives, serving in the 46th Congress with fellow Iowa Greenback Party member James B. Weaver from 1879 to 1881.