Hurst was elected to the House of Commons on his first attempt at the 1865 general election, winning the seat previously held by his father. He was defeated at the 1868 by the Conservative Party candidate John Aldridge, but petitions were lodged against both candidates and Aldridge chose not to defend his claim so Hurst was declared elected in 1869.
Craig, F. W. S. (1989) [1977]. British parliamentary election results 1832-1885 (2nd ed.). Aldershot. pp. 155–156. ISBN0-900178-26-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)