Russell served as City Councillor in 1949 and 1950 and as Mayor from 1950 to 1957 in Saint-Joachim-de-Shefford. He also served as Mayor of Waterloo, Quebec, from 1957 to 1967. ==Member of the legislature==
Russell was appointed to the Cabinet, serving as Minister responsible for Public Works from 1966 to 1967 and Minister of Public Works from 1967 to 1970. He was re-elected in the 1970 election, but was defeated in 1973 election. ==Political comeback==