 He was a member of the City of Rochester, New York School Board from 1905 to 1932, and a member of the New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board from 1933 to 1934.He was elected to Congress in 1934, having defeated incumbent Republican James L. Whitley and represented New York's 38th congressional district from January 3, 1935 until January 3, 1937, departing due to his defeat for renomination in 1936.He was then appointed by Governor Lehman to the New York Supreme Court on April 20, 1937 and served until December 31, 1937.