Jonathan Worth pursued a career in law and public service, beginning as an attorney and legislator in Randolph County. He held positions in both the North Carolina House of Representatives and Senate, and later served as State Treasurer during the Civil War. Worth was elected Governor in 1865 and re-elected in 1866, focusing on post-war reconciliation and opposing North Carolina's secession from the Union. He remained loyal to the state throughout the conflict and continued his role as treasurer until 1865.

Jonathan Worth’s political career reveals a deeply rooted commitment to preserving the status quo of pre-war governance structures, even as he navigated the tumultuous Reconstruction era. Worth’s ideological stance on public education highlights a calculated shift from advocating for universal white education to opposing any form of public education for black students during Reconstruction. His steadfast opposition to secession and loyalty to North Carolina during the Civil War, juxtaposed with his refusal to recognize the legitimacy of post-war elections, showcases a rigid adherence to his pre-war principles. Worth’s approach to governance, marked by a focus on state archives and war debt management, underscores a highly localized and preservationist strategy.