bankhead was a member of the alabama house of representatives from 1865 to 1867, and again in 1880 and 1881. in 1876 and 1877 he was a member of the state senate. he was elected to the united states house of representatives in 1887, serving until 1907. at age 65, john h. bankhead was appointed, then elected, to serve out the remainder of the u.s. senate term left by the death of john tyler morgan and later re-elected twice. he served from june 18, 1907, until his death on march 1, 1920. b. b. comer, former governor of alabama, was appointed to serve the rest of his term, until november 2, 1920, when j. thomas heflin was elected to serve out the term.