His first political role came about when William C. C. Claiborne named him the Justice of the peace of Pointe Coupee Parish in 1810.

His career continued, and he, a supporter of John Quincy Adams, soon thereafter was elected into the Louisiana House of Representatives, serving in 1814, 1816, and 1818.

During his tenure as Speaker of the House, he also ran for State Senate office as a Whig, being elected in 1822.

This came when Governor Pierre Derbigny was thrown from a carriage after ten months in office, dying from injuries sustained.

This campaign was financed using a loan, which he eventually had to pay off, leading to financial woes and the selling of his estate in 1839.