He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1807–1812). He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 11th district from 1813 to 1817 and was the first Roman Catholic state senator in Pennsylvania.
He held positions in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1807–1812) and served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 11th district from 1813 to 1817, becoming the first Roman Catholic senator in Pennsylvania.