He was a State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance from 1972 to 1973, during Korvald's Cabinet. He was the mayor of Stjørdal from 1980 to 1985, then deputy mayor from 1986 to 1987 before serving as deputy county mayor of Nord-Trøndelag from 1988 to 1991. He chaired his party from 1990 to 1992, after having been deputy leader from 1986 to 1990.[1] He was a candidate for the Parliament of Norway numerous times without being elected; in 1965 (fifth candidate in Oslo), 1977 (seventh candidate, Nord-Trøndelag) and 1985 (third candidate, Nord-Trøndelag).[2][3]