 In 1843, Owen was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives and served in that position until 1847.The next year, he served as the clerk of the state House of Representatives and was delegate to the Whig National Convention.Owen was elected as to U.S. House of Representatives as a Whig in 1848 serving one term from March 4, 1849, through March 3, 1851; however, he became associated with the Democratic party.