 Coates moved to Spokane, Washington in 1906, where he established Coates, Hughes & Coates publishing and printing company with his brother William and Harley L. Hughes.In 1911, he was elected city commissioner for public works on the socialist ticket and served in this role until 1914.He then moved to Fargo, North Dakota, where he served as editor of the "Nonpartisan Leader", the official publication of the Nonpartisan League, between 1915 and 1917.