Liberty Party
In 1835, King, a staunch abolitionist, was elected to the Ohio Senate, where he served two terms, until 1839. He was a member of the Whig Party before joining the Liberty Party in 1842. He was Liberty Party candidate for Ohio Governor in 1842 and 1844. King was nominated as Vice President on the Liberty Party ticket for the 1848 United States Presidential Election but declined the nomination.