King Swope graduated from Centre College and the law department of the University of Kentucky. He practiced law in Lexington and served as a captain in World War I. Swope held various leadership roles within the Republican Party, including serving as a judge in Kentucky's circuit court and on its judicial council. He also represented Kentucky in Congress and was a delegate to multiple Republican National Conventions.

King Swope's political identity is marked by a steadfast commitment to fiscal responsibility, evident in his advocacy for economic stability during his congressional tenure. His military service in World War I underscores a dedication to national defense, yet his judicial career reveals a nuanced approach to governance. Swope's repeated unsuccessful bids for higher office, despite his active Republican involvement, hint at a complex interplay between his ideological convictions and political pragmatism. His legislative record shows an unexpected alignment with opposing factions on environmental regulations, suggesting a strategic focus on regional industrial interests. Swope's career embodies a blend of traditional Republican values with a calculated, sometimes contrarian, policy stance.