In 1794, he was one of three minor Democratic-Republican candidates to challenge Federalist congressman Henry Glen, with each of the three receiving less than 3% of the vote.

On January 29, 1811, he was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate and was Acting Lieutenant Governor, Lt. Gov.

After Tompkins' resignation to assume the office of Vice President of the United States, Tayler served as Acting Governor from February 24 to June 30, 1817.

The duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in 1804 is linked to comments spoken by Hamilton at Tayler's home in Albany, which were related in a letter written by Tayler's son-in-law, Dr. Charles D. Cooper, which was later published in an Albany newspaper.

Tayler was a presidential elector in 1828, voting for Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoun.