In 1879, Faulkner became Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee. He was a delegate to the 1868, 1880, and 1884 Democratic National Conventions. In the 1884 Convention, he opposed Grover Cleveland's nomination and supported Roswell P. Flower instead. Cleveland's subsequent nomination and election to the Presidency marked the end of his influence in state and local politics, and after Cleveland's inauguration he focused exclusively on his business interests.