In 1938, he was elected to the lieutenant governorship for the first time and began his service in 1939. In 1940, he won re-election by defeating challenger Robert S. Cox. He won a third term in 1942 against George D. Nye. His first stint as lieutenant governor ended in 1945.
In 1946, Herbert unseated Nye from the lieutenant governorship, which he had won in 1944. He took office again in 1947. However, he served only one term since he lost to Nye in 1948. Herbert ran again for the office in 1956 and defeated John Taylor. However, he was again limited to one term and was unseated in 1958 by John W. Donahey.
Herbert S. Atkinson Henry W. Frillman William C. Wendt
Representative from Franklin County 1923-1926 Served alongside: Herbert S. Atkinson (1923-1924) Denny Cross (1925-1926) Henry W. Frillman (1923-1924) Viola D. Romans (1925-1926) William C. Wendt (1923-1926) John Martin Vorys (1923-1924)
Succeeded by
Viola D. Romans Grant P. Ward Jacob Woehrle William C. Wendt