Frank Zeidler, 93; Served 3 Terms as Socialist Party Mayor of Milwaukee
Frank Zeidler, 93, who was Milwaukee’s mayor from 1948 to 1960 and the last Socialist to run a major American city, died Friday of congestive heart failure at a hospital in the city.
Born in Milwaukee on Sept. 20, 1912, Zeidler was part of the Socialist Party’s city stronghold, which was fueled by German immigrants who flocked there. The party had thousands of members, a congressional seat and control of the mayor’s office for nearly half a century, ending with Zeidler.
His three terms as mayor were marked by large-scale construction of public housing, creation of the first educational television station in Wisconsin and city beautification programs.
Zeidler ran for president unsuccessfully in 1976, receiving about 6,000 votes.
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