Edward Arn completed his early education in Kansas City and furthered his studies at the University of Kansas and the Kansas City School of Law. He served in the U.S. Navy, participating in significant military operations. Arn practiced law in Wichita and held various political positions, including Attorney General of Kansas and Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court. He was elected Governor of Kansas, where he established key state authorities and managed major natural disasters. Post-governorship, he returned to private legal practice and remained active in national politics.

Edward Arn's political identity is marked by a blend of localized policy initiatives and a strategic focus on regional interests, particularly evident in his establishment of the Kansas Turnpike Authority and Veteran's Commission. His legislative actions reveal a calculated approach to balancing industrial growth with social welfare, as seen in his advocacy for improved workman's compensation benefits. Arn's rhetorical style likely emphasizes pragmatic regionalism, balancing broader ideological commitments with specific, tangible outcomes for his constituents.