His career began when he was nominated to run for the State Senate in New York in 1910. He won the election, and was re-elected in 1912 but the second campaign was not as easy to complete, since FDR was confined to a bed with typhoid fever. He never made a single speech, but he won because he had grown so popular in his previous term.

    In 1912, he was appointed assistant secretary of the Navy, which was a dream come true for him, since he had wanted to be in the Navy since he was a child. During his time in the Navy, he helped clean up and strengthen the Naval forces.

    In 1913, he announced himself as a candidate for a US Senator from New York. He was extremely embarrassed when he was stomped in the primary, being beaten by James W. Gerard.

    In 1914, World War I began, and thus his job as the assistant secretary of the Navy now held more responsibility than ever before. He was partially responsible for the entire Atlantic Ocean, the only pathway to America from Europe. During the entire war, he was very valuable to the Navy; he helped to improve it's weak points, maintain it's strong points, and also helped to activate new ideas (such as planting electric mines in the Atlantic Ocean to sink German submarines, which proved to be a great success).

    After he returned from Europe, where he was examining the overseas navy ports, he came home to find that his wife had hired a woman named Lucy Mercer to help with her mail and appointments (basically her secretary). When his wife, Eleanor, became active in the volunteer programs and the Red Cross (because of WWI), he rarely saw much of her, but saw a lot of "the lovely Lucy" Mercer. When Eleanor was unpacking FDR's luggage from another European voyage, she found several love letters from and to Lucy. Franklin and Eleanor decided not to get a divorce because it would hurt each other's image badly, and also their children. But, their marriage was never the same; there was only respect, not love for each other, and Eleanor submerged herself in volunteer work, so she wouldn't be preoccupied with what was happening between her and her husband.      

    But, life continued for the both of them. Franklin's life improved tremendously when he was announced to be the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 1920. He was defeated by the ticket of Warren G. Harding, and Calvin Coolidge. But, they did not let this defeat discourage them.

    In 1921, FDR took the first few months of the year off to "set his personal affairs in order":

• He took a job as vice-president of an insurance company

• Formed a small law partnership

• Began investing in new and upcoming businesses.

• Was president of the Navy club

• Chairman of the Boy Scouts of New York

• Helped to organize the Woodrow Wilson Foundation (which sponsors international students)

    By the time all of these things were done, he was tired, and decided to take vacation with his family to Campobello near the Bay of Fundy. One day, after some strenuous exercise with his family, he didn't think he felt invigorated enough, so he took a swim in the extremely cold bay. Still soaked, he went home, and without changing out of his swimsuit, went through his mail for hours. The next morning he awoke with pains in his back and legs, and a fever. The first doctor said it was a blood clot in his lower spinal column, but he was incorrect. The second doctors diagnosis was correct, however it was much more serious; he was diagnosed with Polio. At this point he had to make a crucial decision: was he to retire to his home in Hyde Park, or continue his ever growing political career? He made the choice to continue, thanks to the support of his advisor Howe, and his wife Eleanor.

     For the next three years he worked and worked at conquering his disability. After about two years, he decided to go to Warm Springs for a different kind of therapy. It proved to be successful, and people began to think of nominating him for a presidential candidate in 1928, but FDR thought it better to wait until 1932, and so he did. But in1928, he was to run for the position of governor of New York. He won, and greatly enjoyed the campaigning experience, but others knew he was destined for bigger things.