Career
Watkins was elected in a by-election held in the Calgary provincial electoral district October 2, 1957. This was first election held using the first past the post method of voting since 1921. Watkins was re-elected in the 1959 Alberta general election for the new electoral district of Calgary Glenmore.
The race for Calgary Glenmore was tight with Watkins winning by just over 200 votes.
Watkins was the only Progressive Conservative candidate elected in 1959. Watkins held the leadership until 1962 when he was replaced by Milt Harradence.
