[2] In 1937, when factory workers at a General Motors plant in Anderson, Indiana, were indicted on riot charges[3] during a strike, Andrews defended them.

The race appeared close for most of the campaign, with polling in late October showing Jacobs win a thin lead over Denny.

[14] On June 4, 1950, Andrews announced his candidacy and ran against Alexander M. Campbell, the former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, and Charles C. Price, a chemistry professor at the University of Notre Dame.

Instead, he resumed the practice of law and remained active in local Democratic politics, including as a supporter of Estes Kefauver's 1952[21] and 1956 presidential campaigns.

[23] He defeated former local prosecutor Robert Maher in the Democratic primary with 88% of the vote,[24] and faced Judge Kohlmeyer in the general election.

"[29] In 1978, when incumbent Marion County Prosecuting Attorney James Kelley declined to seek re-election, Jacobs announced that he would run to succeed him.

He faced former deputy state attorney general Kenneth Kern in the Democratic primary,[30] but handily defeated him, winning 89% of the vote.

"[32] During the campaign, Jacobs struck a harsh tone, observing, "It's time to recognize that criminals are warring on us and exercise the rights of belligerence against them."