He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1892 to the Fifty-third Congress. He was appointed Attorney General of Nevada by Governor Reinhold Sadler on January 15, 1901, succeeding William D. Jones who resigned to become a state district court judge. Woodburn served the remainder of Jones' term which expired in January 1903, and returned to private practice.
He was unsuccessful in his congressional bid in 1892. He later became Attorney General of Nevada under Governor Reinhold Sadler in 1901, succeeding William D. Jones who resigned to become a state district court judge. Woodburn served the remainder of Jones' term until January 1903 and then returned to private practice.