A side effect of this expansion into Arizona was Ivins' appointment as county assessor of Mohave County, Arizona. In 1888 Ivins helped organize the "Sagebrush Democrats" in a technique designed to move away from the local People's and Liberal parties to new political divisions along national party lines. Over the years he gained in political popularity and influence, serving in a number of elected positions, as well as Special Indian Agent for the Shivwits Indians. He was elected to two terms in the Utah Territorial Legislature and, in 1894, was chosen as a representative to the Utah State Constitutional Convention. In that body, Ivins made a strong impression. He copied the following, from the Argus, into his journal:

Tony, as almost everybody calls him, is one of the most popular Democrats in the territory, is broadminded, fair and honest, and would be a strong candidate for any office within his party.

His name became one of those mentioned frequently as candidate for the first governor of the state of Utah. But another event intervened which permanently halted any political aspirations.