Fred Sutter demonstrated a robust educational foundation, attending Shattuck's School in Faribault, Minnesota. He embarked on a legal career, practicing as an attorney in Bisbee and eventually becoming a district attorney. Sutter held significant leadership roles, including chairmanship of the Democrats at a territorial convention and serving on the committee to draft the constitution and by-laws for Arizona Fish and Game. His career also encompassed elected positions, such as representing Democrats for a Superior Court judgeship in Cochise County.

Fred Sutter's political career reveals a unique blend of regional advocacy and ideological agility. He fiercely defended local industrial interests while simultaneously supporting broader statehood initiatives, suggesting a calculated approach to balancing local and state priorities. Sutter's unexpected alignment with opposing factions on environmental regulations hints at a strategy deeply rooted in protecting regional economic stability. His rhetorical style, marked by a direct challenge to higher authorities in defense of local autonomy, underscores a commitment to localized governance.