Combs began his political career with his election to the office of city attorney in Prestonsburg in 1950.[17] Later that year, Governor Lawrence Wetherby appointed him to fill a vacancy in the office of Commonwealth's Attorney for Kentucky's 31st Judicial District.[17][18] Combs announced, however, that he would serve only until a new election could be held.[18] In April 1951, Governor Wetherby appointed Combs to fill a vacancy on the Kentucky Court of Appeals caused by the death of Judge Roy Helm.[2] Later that year, he sought a full eight-year term on the court.[19] His opponent was Simeon S. Willis, a popular former Republican governor who had previously sat on the court.[19] Combs won the election by a vote of 73,298 to 69,379.[19] In George Robinson's oral history, Combs attributed his victory to Willis's advanced age (68) and the fact that many of Willis' supporters assumed that their candidate would win and did not vote.[20]