Baudin returned to France in 1881.

In 1884 he was elected municipal councilor for Vierzon-Ville and for Vierzon-Village.

He chose to represent Vierzon-Ville.

In 1885 he ran for election to the legislature as socialist candidate on the list of Félix Pyat-Vaillant, and won 17,000 votes, but was defeated.

That year he was elected to the General Council of Cher for the canton of La Guerche.

When strikes broke out in Vierzon, particularly at the Société française de matériel agricole, Baudin strongly supported the workers.

He was arrested on 3 October 1885 for having resisted a gendarme who, according to Baudin's friends, was mistreating a woman.

The tribunal at Bourges condemned Baudin to two months in prison and the loss of his civil rights for five years.

On appeal the judgement was confirmed.

His election to the General Council was annulled due to his conviction.

After 92 days in prison Baudin returned to Vierzon, and three days later he was reelected councilor.

The council made him deputy mayor.

Baudin decided to sit in the General Council of Cher.

By order of the Prefect he was asked to leave, but refused.

Policemen led by a commissioner entered the General Council room and expelled him.

Three months later he was reelected to the General Council for La Guerch in the first round, with his expenses covered by subscriptions from twenty deputies and from his friend.

His election was again annulled due to his conviction.

He was again physically expelled from the council, and was finally obliged to capitulate and refrain from running in new elections due to lack of money.

By his account he continued to advise citizens to support the republic and continued to defend workers against employers in the courts.

His workshop was filled with citizens who came to ask his advice.
Baudin returned to France in 1881.
In 1884 he was elected municipal councilor for Vierzon-Ville and for Vierzon-Village.
He chose to represent Vierzon-Ville.
In 1885 he ran for election to the legislature as socialist candidate on the list of Félix Pyat-Vaillant, and won 17,000 votes, but was defeated.
That year he was elected to the General Council of Cher for the canton of La Guerche.
When strikes broke out in Vierzon, particularly at the Société française de matériel agricole, Baudin strongly supported the workers.
He was arrested on 3 October 1885 for having resisted a gendarme who, according to Baudin's friends, was mistreating a woman.
The tribunal at Bourges condemned Baudin to two months in prison and the loss of his civil rights for five years.
On appeal the judgement was confirmed.
His election to the General Council was annulled due to his conviction.
After 92 days in prison Baudin returned to Vierzon, and three days later he was reelected councilor.
The council made him deputy mayor.
Baudin decided to sit in the General Council of Cher.
By order of the Prefect he was asked to leave, but refused.
Policemen led by a commissioner entered the General Council room and expelled him.
Three months later he was reelected to the General Council for La Guerch in the first round, with his expenses covered by subscriptions from twenty deputies and from his friend.
His election was again annulled due to his conviction.
He was again physically expelled from the council, and was finally obliged to capitulate and refrain from running in new elections due to lack of money.
By his account he continued to advise citizens to support the republic and continued to defend workers against employers in the courts.
His workshop was filled with citizens who came to ask his advice.
Eugène Baudin