In 1964, Budd ran for the state legislature from the 2nd district. Following redistricting, the 2nd district, which included
Nemaha and
Otoe counties, was redrawn to include
Cass and Otoe counties. and faced former State Senator
Frank Sorrell and farmer Carl Swanson in the primary election. Budd placed first in the primary election, receiving 48 percent of the vote to Sorrell's 28 percent and Swanson's 23 percent, and he advanced to the general election with Sorrell. Sorrell died on August 20, 1964, and was replaced on the ballot by Swanson. Budd defeated Swanson by a wide margin, receiving 59 percent of the vote to Swanson's 41 percent. He was challenged by farmer
Calvin Carsten and ironworker William Heier. Budd placed first in the primary election, receiving 61 percent of the vote to Carsten's 33 percent and Heier's 6 percent. Budd and Carsten advanced to the general election, where Budd defeated Carsten, winning re-election with 59 percent of the vote. ==Post-legislative career==