However, in 1917 his vote against the United States' declaration of war on the German Empire[1] effectively ended his political career, leading to his loss of the Republican nomination for re-election to his seat, and of his leadership position for the remainder of his final term.

[3] He managed Iowa Governor Albert B. Cummins' successful campaign for a third term in 1906,[3] and served as chairman of the Republican State Central Committee in 1906 and 1907.

In 1908, Woods defeated incumbent Congressman James Perry Conner in the Republican primary for Iowa's 10th congressional district,[4] and then won the general election.

His district, known as the "big tenth," was made up of Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Emmet, Greene, Hamilton, Humboldt, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Winnebago, and Webster counties.

[7] In the immediate aftermath of his loss in the primary, fellow National Republican Campaign Committee members demanded that he also resign his leadership position.