He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1921 to 1935 sitting with the United Farmers caucus in government.

Claypool defeated Liberal candidate George Webber with a comfortable majority to win the two-way race.

[4] Claypool ran for a fourth term in the 1935 Alberta general election but was defeated in the four-way race finishing a distant second place to Social Credit candidate Edward Foster.

[5] Claypool made a bid to run for a seat to the House of Commons of Canada in the 1940 federal election.

He ran in a five-way race as a Liberal candidate but was defeated finishing a close second to incumbent Charles Johnston.