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In 1947, Gleason joined Minden accountant Larkin L. Greer (1902–1991) and attorney [[Floyd D. Culbertson, Jr.]], who had been the mayor of Minden from 1940 to 1942, as co-chairmen of the Webster Parish "Kennon Club" to support [[Robert F. Kennon]] for [[governor]]. Earlier Kennon had been the mayor of Minden for two years and for a time held the record as the youngest mayor in the nation. Kennon, however, was eliminated in the Democratic primary. Former Governor Earl Long defeated another former governor, [[Sam Houston Jones]], to return to office in 1948.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' November 7, 1947, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1947, Gleason joined Minden accountant Larkin L. Greer (1902–1991) and attorney [[Floyd D. Culbertson, Jr.]], who had been the mayor of Minden from 1940 to 1942, as co-chairmen of the Webster Parish "Kennon Club" to support [[Robert F. Kennon]] for [[governor]]. Earlier Kennon had been the mayor of Minden for two years and for a time held the record as the youngest mayor in the nation. Kennon, however, was eliminated in the Democratic primary. Former Governor Earl Long defeated another former governor, [[Sam Houston Jones]], to return to office in 1948.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' November 7, 1947, p. 1.</ref>​

Gleason was elected to succeed interim Representative [[Lizzie P. Thompson]] of Doyline, who also had been appointed by Governor Earl Long when her husband, Representative [[C. W. Thompson]], died in office in 1951. In his successful legislative race, Gleason ran newspaper advertising on the theme "Better Highways".<ref>''Minden Press,'' November 23, 1951, p. 9.</ref> As a lawmaker, Gleason worked alongside the Bossier-Webster state senators,  John Jones Doles, Sr. (1895-1970), a banker from Plain Dealing and [[Herman "Wimpy" Jones]], a [[business]]man from [[Bossier City]] and Minden. As a state representative, Gleason worked for an extra judgeship for the 26th Judicial District, the establishment of the National Guard armory on Constable Street in Minden (since relocated), expansion of the Cotton Valley oil field, and several highway projects.<ref name=edg>"E.D. Gleason Final Rites Held at Evergreen Today," ''Minden Herald,'' July 27, 1959, p. 1.</ref>​

Gleason was elected to succeed interim Representative Lizzie Price Thompson (1894-1973) of Doyline, who also had been appointed by Governor Earl Long when her husband, Representative [[C. W. Thompson]], died in office in 1951. In his successful legislative race, Gleason ran newspaper advertising on the theme "Better Highways".<ref>''Minden Press,'' November 23, 1951, p. 9.</ref> As a lawmaker, Gleason worked alongside the Bossier-Webster state senators,  John Jones Doles, Sr. (1895-1970), a banker from Plain Dealing and [[Herman "Wimpy" Jones]], a [[business]]man from [[Bossier City]] and Minden. As a state representative, Gleason worked for an extra judgeship for the 26th Judicial District, the establishment of the National Guard armory on Constable Street in Minden (since relocated), expansion of the Cotton Valley oil field, and several highway projects.<ref name=edg>"E.D. Gleason Final Rites Held at Evergreen Today," ''Minden Herald,'' July 27, 1959, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1956, Gleason won another legislative term by defeating in a runoff election Dr. Paul Murdoch Campbell (1913-1987), who resigned from the Minden City Council to make the race. Gleason polled 4,236 votes to Campbell's 3,998.<ref>"Second Primary Official Returns Promulgated," ''Minden Herald,'' March 1, 1956, p. 1.</ref> In the earlier primary contest, two other candidates, Ennos Clyde Eeds (1904-1981) of Cullen, south of Springhill, and the Minden barber Homer D. Acklen (1907–1981), were eliminated from the competition.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' January 19, 1956, p. 1.</ref>  

In 1956, Gleason won another legislative term by defeating in a runoff election Dr. Paul Murdoch Campbell (1913-1987), who resigned from the Minden City Council to make the race. Gleason polled 4,236 votes to Campbell's 3,998.<ref>"Second Primary Official Returns Promulgated," ''Minden Herald,'' March 1, 1956, p. 1.</ref> In the earlier primary contest, two other candidates, Ennos Clyde Eeds (1904-1981) of Cullen, south of Springhill, and the Minden barber Homer D. Acklen (1907–1981), were eliminated from the competition.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' January 19, 1956, p. 1.</ref>