In the 1902 state election the electoral district of West Adelaide was abolished, and Denny contested the new four-member electoral district of Adelaide, and was elected second in the count with 14.3 per cent of the votes cast.
In the 1902 state election the electoral district of West Adelaide was abolished. The following year, he contested the seat of Adelaide at the state election as a United Labour Party (ULP) candidate, and was elected first, receiving 19.3 per cent of the votes cast.