Harlan J. Bushfield graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School and began his legal career in South Dakota. He held various local government positions, including State's Attorney and City Attorney, and served on the school board and Selective Service board during World War I. Bushfield transitioned from local politics to state leadership, managing the state's financial crisis during the Great Depression through budget cuts and tax eliminations. He was elected governor of South Dakota and later served in the United States Senate, where he advocated for isolationist policies while supporting U.S. involvement in World War II.

Harlan J. Bushfield's political identity is marked by a striking tension between his conservative fiscal policies and his isolationist foreign policy stances. While he implemented stringent budget cuts and tax reductions as governor during the Great Depression, Bushfield simultaneously advocated for U.S. involvement in World War II and opposed reciprocal trade agreements and the United Nations. This juxtaposition suggests a highly localized approach to economic matters combined with a broader skepticism of international entanglements.