 After the war, Harlow returned to Oklahoma City twice to serve as vice president of Harlow Publishing Company in 1946–47 and 1951–52, but both times, he was recruited back to positions in Washington.In 1947, he joined the staff of the House Armed Services Committee, and in 1948, he became the head of the staff.In 1950, he became disenchanted with the Democratic Party and switched his registration to Republican.