A public relations officer by trade, Poda's father was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives for a number of years.
Poda initially served as a Summit County Commissioner, but in 1966, after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 mitigated legislative districts represented by a single individual, Poda returned to the House of Representatives.
As a result, Poda sought and attained an appointment, and was sworn into the state Senate on January 14, 1971.
[1] However, citing the want to be closer to family more often, Poda decided not to run for a full term in the Senate, and was replaced by David Headley in 1973.
[3] Following the incident Poda continued to serve as auditor, and eventually recovered politically from the damage.