Career
Pattinson ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature in the 1926 Alberta general election. He stood as a Dominion Labor candidate in the electoral district of Edson. The three way race was hotly contested with Pattison winning on the second count with a 100 vote plurality.
Pattinson was re-elected to his second term in the 1930 Alberta general election.
He would be eliminated in the first vote count and finishing last. Pattison attempted to regain his seat in the legislature by running as a Company-operative Commonwealth candidate in the 1948 Alberta general election.
He was defeated by Social Cr incumbent Norman Willmore finishing a close second in the three way race.