尽管中断了近十年的学业，汉弗莱仍梦想着成为一名政治学教授。 In 1937 he returned to the University of Minnesota to earn his Bachelor’s degree.  In 1940 he completed a Master’s program at Louisiana State University before returning to the University of Minnesota to begin a Doctoral program.  在那个项目中，他在当地政治中变得非常活跃，最终辍学了。 1943年，他竞选明尼阿波利斯市市长，但失败了，但1945年，他再次竞选，并以压倒性的胜利获胜。  他当了三年市长。  在他的任期内，他孜孜不倦地努力减少这个城市的偏见，当时这个城市以高度的种族和宗教歧视而闻名。

在1948年的民主党全国代表大会上，汉弗莱不顾杜鲁门总统的顾问的强烈压力，发表了一篇支持民权的激动人心的演讲。 This prompted a walkout by Southern delegates – but Humphrey’s speech persuaded the Democratic Party to adopt a pro-civil rights plank, and it contributed heavily to Harry Truman’s stunning upset victory over his Republican opponent, Thomas Dewey.  汉弗莱通过那次演讲为杜鲁门争取支持，有力地证明了历史站在拥护民权观念的美国人一边。  以下是他演讲中一些令人难忘的语录：

“我的朋友们，对于那些说我们在民权问题上操之过急的人，我要对他们说，我们已经迟了172年！ 对于那些说这个民权计划侵犯了州权的人，我要说：在美国，民主党走出州权的阴影，径直走进人权的明媚阳光的时候到了！”

“We cannot use a double standard for measuring our own and other people’s policies. Our demands for democratic practices in other lands will be no more effective than the guarantees of those practiced in our own country.”

以下是整个演讲的录音： http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nwIdIUVFm4

这一演讲使汉弗莱立即获得了全国的认可——同年，他当选为美国参议院议员。  Over fifteen years, he established himself as one of the country’s most effective legislators, swaying both public and congressional opinion on topics such as fair employment, civil rights, the Peace Corps, nuclear test bans, organized labor, and domestic agriculture.

In 1960, Humphrey campaigned for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination but lost to John F. Kennedy. 他留在参议院，担任多数党鞭。 从1965年到1969年，他在林登·约翰逊政府担任副总统。

In 1968 he ran for president again and won the Democratic Party’s nomination, but then lost to Richard Nixon in the general election. 1971年，他重返参议院，1976年再次当选，直到1978年1月因癌症去世。

In a eulogy at Humphrey’s funeral, President Jimmy Carter remarked: “From time to time, our nation is blessed by the presence of men and women who bear the mark of greatness, who help us see a better vision of what we can become. 休伯特·汉弗莱就是这样一个人。” 两个月后，卡特设立了休伯特·h·汉弗莱奖学金，以表彰这位已故参议员的杰出领导、对公共服务的奉献以及为促进全球正义与和平所作的勇敢努力。

其他令人难忘的话：

“In this time of national crises…perhaps we would do well to spend a few minutes in considering projects which grace and embellish the earth, instead of shaking it.” 1962

“This is the first generation in all of recorded history that can do something about the scourge of poverty. 我们有办法做到这一点。 We can banish hunger from the face of the earth.” 1965

“What do we want for people? Human dignity, personal expression and fulfillment, justice, freedom.” 1967

“Be clear where America stands. Human brotherhood and equal opportunity for every man, woman, and child, we are committed to it, in America and around the world.” 1967

“I believe that each of us can make a difference. 错误的事情可以被纠正。 That people possess the basic wisdom and goodness to govern themselves without conflict.” 1968