McCorquodale served as a Santa Clara County Supervisor from 1973 until 1982 when he was elected to the San Jose based 12th district in the California State Senate, defeating Republican incumbent Dan O'Keefe.
McCorquodale served as a Santa Clara County Supervisor, winning election in 1972 and being reelected in 1976 and 1980. In 1982 McCorquodale was elected to the San Jose based 12th district in the California State Senate, defeating Republican incumbent Dan O'Keefe.