[16] Stokes was a policy adviser to Liberal Opposition Leader John Brogden, the Member for Pittwater.

When Brogden resigned in controversial circumstances,[17] the 2005 by-election was won by independent candidate Alex McTaggart in what many described as a shock result.

[22] At the 2011 general election, Stokes was re-elected with a swing of 21.7 points, gaining 84.5 per cent of the two-party vote.

[23] Following the election, Stokes was appointed as NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Renewable Energy in the O'Farrell government.

[7] Following the 2019 state election Stokes was appointed as the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces in the second Berejiklian ministry, with effect from 2 April 2019.

[31] Following the October 2021 resignation of Andrew Constance from the ministry, Stokes was sworn in as Minister for Transport and Roads, a position that he held, together with Planning and Public Spaces until December 2021.