Local and State Career He was Albia city attorney from 1890 to 1892, then
Monroe County Attorney from 1893 to 1897. In 1899, he was elected to the
Iowa House of Representatives, where he served for ten years and ultimately became Speaker of the House during his last term.
US House In 1908, Kendall ran as a
Republican for the U.S. House seat for Iowa's 6th congressional district, then held by incumbent one-term Democrat
Daniel W. Hamilton. Defeating Hamilton in a close race, Kendall served in the
61st Congress, then was re-elected in 1910, serving in the
Sixty-second Congress. He won the Republican primary in June 1912 over two challengers, but pulled out of the race in August, after suffering a heart attack. In all, he served in Congress from March 4, 1909 to March 3, 1913. After returning from Washington, he resumed the practice of law in Albia.
Iowa Governorship In 1920, Kendall was elected Governor of Iowa, defeating Democrat and future Governor
Clyde L. Herring. He served two terms, from 1921 to 1925. During his tenure, the state government was restructured by reorganizing the overlapping state boards, bureaus, and commissions. The Department of Agriculture was also established, removing 5 state boards. Additionally, security brokers were assessed and required to be licensed, orphaned, handicapped and abused children were given protections and provided for financially and the state’s park and highway systems were expanded. Kendall's most personally notable achievement was the $2.25 Million appropriation to fully fund
University of Iowa, College of Medicine hospital. == Later life ==