He was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives in 1887 and 1888. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan on the Republican ticket in 1890, losing to Democrat John Strong, Jr.  Linton was also president of the Saginaw Water Board and was elected mayor of Saginaw in 1892.
In 1887 and 1888, he served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives. In 1890, he ran for Lieutenant Governor on the Republican ticket but lost to Democrat John Strong, Jr. Linton was president of the Saginaw Water Board and became mayor of Saginaw in 1892.