In 1914 he made an unsuccessful run for the office of governor of Oklahoma. Enjoying the popularity of his starring role in the 1914 film adaptation of his 1913 biography, Beating Back, Jennings campaigned openly about his past and won votes with his honesty.
In 1914, he ran for governor of Oklahoma but lost.  His success stemmed from his popularity after starring in a movie based on his own life, "Beating Back," which allowed him to connect with voters through his personal story and honesty.