New was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877).
He declined to be a candidate for reelection in 1876 to the Forty-fifth Congress.
New was elected to the Forty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881).
He was not a candidate for reelection in 1880.
He served as judge of the sixth judicial circuit of Indiana 1882-1888.
Appellate judge in 1891.
He was nominated by the Democratic Party as a candidate for judge of the supreme court of Indiana in 1892, but died before the election in Vernon, Indiana, July 9, 1892.
He was interred in Vernon Cemetery.