hruska was elected to the united states house of representatives from the omaha-dominated second district of nebraska. he served only part of one term, as he ran for a united states senate seat in 1954, which was vacated by the death of hugh butler. hruska won, and was reelected in 1958, 1964 and 1970 and served in the senate until his retirement in 1976. his opponent in 1958 and 1970 was frank b. morrison. hruska did not run for reelection to a fourth full term.