John P. Buchanan established a successful career in farming and livestock breeding, eventually owning a prominent 325-acre farm in Rutherford County, Tennessee. He transitioned into politics, leveraging his agricultural background to sponsor legislation benefiting farmers. Buchanan's political career included serving in the Tennessee House of Representatives and leading the Tennessee Farmers' Alliance. His gubernatorial tenure focused on labor rights, education, and veterans' benefits, while also implementing measures that restricted voting rights for African Americans.

John P. Buchanan's political identity is shaped by a blend of progressive economic policies and regressive voting rights measures. His legislative initiatives, such as exempting farmers' co-ops from taxes and regulating railroad rates, reflect a commitment to supporting rural interests. However, his tenure also saw the strengthening of the poll tax and restrictions on African-American voting rights, showcasing a complex ideological stance that juxtaposes support for labor with a restrictive approach to civil liberties. Buchanan's approach reveals a nuanced balance between economic progressivism and social conservatism.