[1] He has been a practicing dentist for 26 years, and served in the Oregon House of Representatives in the early 1990s, chairing the Rules Committee.

[3][4] He was selected by Marion and Linn County Republicans to run again for the House in 2006, in the 17th district, following then-representative Jeff Kropf's sudden departure from the 2006 election.

He won that election, defeating Democrat Dan Thackaberry, and was appointed in 2008 to succeed Senator Roger Beyer of the 9th district upon his resignation.

[5][6] In 2019, Girod refused to show up for work in order to prevent a vote on a cap-and-trade proposal that would dramatically lower greenhouse gas emissions.

[9][10] Following the Standoff at Eagle Pass, Girod signed a letter in support of Texas Governor Greg Abbott's decision in the conflict.