Houston was appointed as Oklahoma labor commissioner by Governor Mary Fallin (R) on November 10, 2015. She assumed office on November 20. Houston filled a vacancy created when the former officeholder, Mark Costello (R), died on August 23, 2015. Houston was appointed to serve the remainder of Costello's four-year term. She did not seek election to a full term in 2018.

Houston was the chief of staff and policy adviser for Attorney General Scott Pruitt (R) from 2011 until her appointment as labor commissioner in 2015.

Houston was the chief of staff for the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security for nine years.