He represented Yamhill County in the Oregon State Senate from 1915 through 1922, as a conservative Republican.

He was admitted to the Oregon State Bar in 1892 and joined McCain's law firm as a partner.

He was a member of the local Elks lodge and Knights of Pythias as well as a Free Mason.

Over the years, Vinton acquired five large farms in Yamhill, Polk, and Jefferson counties, which he leased to local farmers.

[1][2][4][5] While mayor, Vinton refused to sign a paving contract he believed was illegal.

A local court ruled that as mayor, he did not have the authority to refuse to sign a contract that was approved by the city council.

He was first elected in 1914 and took his seat in January 1915 and continued serving in the state senate until he was defeated in the 1922 Republican primary.

[1][2][11] In 1914, Vinton announced he would run for a seat in the Oregon State Senate, representing Yamhill County.

[15] Since no Democrats filed for the District 10 senate seat, Vinton was unopposed in the general election.

[10][16] Vinton took his seat in the Oregon State Senate on January 11, 1915, representing District 10.

When the session was organized, Vinton was appointed chairman of the military affairs committee.

He also served on the commerce and navigation, education, judiciary, and medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry committees.

[16][17] Since Oregon's state senators served four-year terms, Vinton did not have to run for re-election prior to the 1917 legislative session.

Prior to the session, Vinton met with Gus C. Moser, who was actively seeking the senate president position.

In addition, he served on the county and state officers, insurance, medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry, and public lands committees.

[21][22][23] No one else filed for the District 10 seat, so he was unopposed in both the Republican primary and in the general election.

[24][25] Conrad P. Olson of Multnomah County also announced his interest in the senate president position.

During the session, Vinton proposed a state-wide construction program to provide jobs for returning World War I veterans.

[29][30][31] At the close of the legislative session, fellow senators recognized Vinton for his affability and firm but fair leadership, and presented him with a gold watch.

He was also a member of the federal relations, industries, judiciary, and municipal affairs committees.

[11][42][43] After leaving the state senate, Vinton returned to his McMinnville law practice on a full-time basis.

Vinton challenged the law the following year, when Yamhill County published an abbreviated budget.

He was an active member of McMinnville's Elks Lodge and the local Knights of Pythias chapter, serving as president of both those organizations.