During his early days in politics, Odell ran unsuccessfully for town supervisor of New Windsor, as well as losing a bid for New York State Senate after being drafted for the Republican nomination in a heavily Democratic district.

In 1894, Odell was elected as a Republican to the 54th United States Congress, serving New York's 17th congressional district, at that time encompassing Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan Counties.

Returning as a hero from the Spanish–American War, Roosevelt's campaign, under Odell's management, would win the governorship by a comfortable margin in 1898.

Odell would go on to handily defeat John B. Stanchfield in the general election to succeed Theodore Roosevelt as Governor of New York.

He opposed and vetoed "special legislation" and "personal bills" passed by the legislature, which were focused on individual interests.

[2] After six months of prolonged illness in late 1925 to early 1926, Benjamin B. Odell died on May 9, 1926, in his home town of Newburgh, surrounded by family.