 He has been an active member of the Social Democratic Party 
since 1965 and North Jutland's County Council since 1983.He was a Member of the Regional Council in North Denmark Region (2006-2007) and Chairman of the Preparatory Committee (2006).He contested the general election in 2007 and won in North Jutland's greater constituency with 29,192 votes, fifth on the list of parliamentary candidates for most votes.