in 1860, strong was elected as a democrat to the michigan house of representatives from wayne county (2nd district), just as his father had been from 1835 to 1836, and served from 1861 to 1862. in 1878, he was again elected to the state house, yet instead from monroe county (2nd district) and served from 1879 to 1880. in 1880, he was elected to the michigan senate from the 5th district and served from 1881 to 1884.