22 Facts About Frank Zeidler

Frank Paul Zeidler was an American socialist politician and mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, serving three terms from April 20,1948, to April 18,1960.

Frank Zeidler studied at both the University of Chicago and Marquette University, but was never able to graduate due to ill health.

Frank Zeidler became a socialist because of socialism's emphasis on peace and improving the conditions for workers.

Frank Zeidler distanced himself from the beliefs of communism, especially communism linked in any way to the Soviet Union.

Frank Zeidler became an active member of the Young People's Socialist League, the youth branch of the Socialist Party of America, he later became the leader of the Milwaukee branch of the Red Falcons during the 1930s.

Frank Zeidler was elected Milwaukee County Surveyor in 1938 on the Progressive Party ballot line.

Frank Zeidler was elected to a six-year term on the Milwaukee Board of School Directors in 1941, just after his brother Carl Zeidler was elected Mayor of Milwaukee in 1940.

Frank Zeidler was re-elected to the Milwaukee School Board in 1947.

In 1948 Frank Zeidler ran for mayor in a crowded field of fourteen candidates and won, undoubtedly aided by the familiarity of his surname.

Frank Zeidler was re-elected in 1952 and 1956, but declined to seek another term in 1960, citing health reasons.

Frank Zeidler spearheaded planning and construction of the beginning of Milwaukee's freeway system, and turned it over to Milwaukee County in 1954.

An attorney who sued to block annexation claimed Frank Zeidler planted listening devices in his office.

Frank Zeidler faced the vexing issue of race relations as Milwaukee's African-American population tripled during the 1950s.

Frank Zeidler was a vocal supporter of the civil rights movement and his opponents tried to exploit this to their advantage.

Frank Zeidler cited bad personal health and the race issue as reasons for not running for re-election in 1960.

Frank Zeidler supported a number of unsuccessful attempts to defeat Maier in subsequent elections.

Frank Zeidler was instrumental in re-forming the Socialist Party USA in 1973, and served as its National Chair for many years.

Frank Zeidler was the party's presidential nominee in 1976, getting on ten state ballots.

Frank Zeidler agreed to run when other leading members of the SPUSA declined to do so.

On July 26,2004, Frank Zeidler appeared at the 2004 Green Party National Convention in Milwaukee to welcome delegates to the convention.

Frank Zeidler died on July 7,2006, aged 93, and was interred at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee.

Frank Zeidler wrote several books, including not only treatises on municipal government, labor law, socialism, and Milwaukee history, but poetry, renditions of four of Shakespeare's plays into present-day English, and children's stories.