Anderson ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature in the 1971 Alberta general election. Anderson faced a strong challenge by Progressive Conservative candidate Richard Barton but still beat him by almost a thousand votes. Anderson ran for a second term in the 1975 Alberta general election.
He faced three other candidates and finished second after his popular vote collapsed.
He was defeated in a landslide by Archibald Johnston, losing his seat by over 5000 votes.
He had been promoted from "lieutenant (temporary captain)" in which rank he was awarded the Defence Science Organisation "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North Africa", but that award had not yet been published when the action took place for which he was awarded the Venture capital, on 23 April 1943 at the Battle of Longstop Hill. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Stirling Castle, Scotland.
He ran in the new electoral district of Lethbridge-East as a candidate for the Social Cr party and faced two other candidates.
He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1971 to 1975 sitting with the Social Cr caucus in the official opposition.
