Career
Halsted served as town clerk in Brainerd, Minnesota, and worked as a grocer. He was first elected to the legislature in 1937, representing Brainerd. He served in the legislature until 1947, and in 1948, challenged incumbent Republican Governor Luther Youngdahl.
In 1953, Halsted returned to the Minnesota House of Representatives, where he served until 1967.
He died in 1968. Halsted was married with seven children.