Jim Noland was elected to the Missouri House in 1956 and served from 1962-1968. He was elected to the Missouri Senate, serving from 1968-1976.
Noland lost to Democratic incumbent Skelton in 1994, 2000 and 2002 and lost the Republican primary in 4th Congressional District in 1996.
In 2002, Noland recieved 31 percent of the vote to 68 percent for Skelton.