In 1934, he first sought public office as St. Johns County Commissioner, winning and defeating the incumbent by 26 votes.
He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives for St. Johns County to serve in the 1943 session, but soon thereafter resigned to join the U.S. Army to fight in World War II.
During his years of service, which ended in December 1945, he won an Air Medal and Croix de Guerre while serving in Europe.

Almost immediately upon his return to the Florida, Pope returned to politics, running for and winning a seat in the Florida State Senate in 1948.
Sitting as a senator for the next 24 years, Pope was involved in many major decisions during his term, including a revision of the state constitution in 1968, improvements to deaf and blind schooling, and establishing a community college system.
He was opposed to reapportionment and was a vehement advocate for the deaf and blind.
Pope also led the senate on two occasions serving as the president pro tempore from 1964 to 1965 and the president of the senate from 1966 to 1968.
His all-time goal in politics was to become Governor of Florida, preparing a run that was halted by the severe illness of his wife in 1960.
He won awards for "The Most Valuable Member of the Legislature" in 1961 and "Third Most Valuable Member of the Senate" in 1967.
He was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1972 and did not seek re-election to the senate that year, returning to a private insurance business.
In 1934, he first sought public office as St. Johns County Commissioner, winning and defeating the incumbent by 26 votes. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives for St. Johns County to serve in the 1943 session, but soon thereafter resigned to join the U.S. Army to fight in World War II. During his years of service, which ended in December 1945, he won an Air Medal and Croix de Guerre while serving in Europe.
Almost immediately upon his return to the Florida, Pope returned to politics, running for and winning a seat in the Florida State Senate in 1948. Sitting as a senator for the next 24 years, Pope was involved in many major decisions during his term, including a revision of the state constitution in 1968, improvements to deaf and blind schooling, and establishing a community college system. He was opposed to reapportionment and was a vehement advocate for the deaf and blind. Pope also led the senate on two occasions serving as the president pro tempore from 1964 to 1965 and the president of the senate from 1966 to 1968. His all-time goal in politics was to become Governor of Florida, preparing a run that was halted by the severe illness of his wife in 1960. He won awards for "The Most Valuable Member of the Legislature" in 1961 and "Third Most Valuable Member of the Senate" in 1967. He was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1972 and did not seek re-election to the senate that year, returning to a private insurance business.
Verle A. Pope