In 1872, Hurlbut was elected as Republican from Illinois to the U.S. House of Representatives, reelected in 1874, he was defeated for reelection in 1876.
In 1872, Hurlbut was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican Congressman from Illinois. Elected for a second term in 1874, he was defeated for reelection in 1876.