On July 7, Frank Zeidler died at the age of 93. He had been the Mayor of Milwaukee between 1948 and 1960. He was a lifelong member of the Socialist Party, and he was always considered to be a Socialist Party politician. However, Milwaukee city elections were technically non-partisan. Zeidler was a much-loved figure during his term of office and since then. He was also the Socialist Party’s presidential candidate in 1976.
Frank Zeidler was so far ahead of his time. His “sewer socialism” bringing public works, housing, transportation to improve the quality of life for all Milwaukeans as well as the world will never be forgotten. I feel privledged to have heard him talk many times about the city and the community. He was an encylopedia. He was a great debater, a thinker and a futurist. He brought integrity and honesty to city government.
His belief in equality and fairness was unwavering during his life mayor and as a citizen.
His legacy will not be forgotten.
Frank P. Zeidler (September 20, 1912 – July 7, 2006) was an American socialist and mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, serving three terms from 1948 to 1960 the last socialist mayor of any major American city.
During his administration, Milwaukee grew industrially and never had to borrow money to repay loans. During this period, Milwaukee nearly doubled its size with a very aggressive campaign of municipal annexations. Large parts of the Town of Lake and most of the Town of Granville were annexed during this era. Federal funding was obtained to complete the highway system that had started under Daniel Hoan. The park system was upgraded.
His brother Carl Zeidler, the so-called “Singing Mayor,” also served as mayor of Milwaukee from 1940 to 1942. Carl was more conservative in political philosophy than Frank.
Zeidler was instrumental in re-forming the Socialist Party USA in 1973, and served as its National Chair for many years. He was the party’s presidential nominee in 1976, getting on 10 state ballots. He and his running-mate, J. Quinn Brisben, won 6,038 votes.
Zeidler, who credited his activism as a Socialist to his deep Lutheran faith, was active and involved in politics as a Socialist until his death at age 93.
Haha ^^ nice, is there a section to follow the RSS feed