"In 1902, Aldridge was appointed the Secretary of the State Railway Commission, by Governor Frank W. Higgins eventually becoming its Chairman, and holding office until 1907, when it was replaced by the Public Service Commission under Governor Charles Evans Hughes.Aldridge again sought higher office in 1910 following the death of U.S. Representative James Breck Perkins, when he sought election to replace Perkins, but was ultimately defeated by the Democratic candidate, James S. Havens.