Frank Paul Zeidler

American Socialist leader and former mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A lifelong resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and a member of the Socialist Party since 1932. Zeidler joined the party that year after reading the works of Norman Thomas, Eugene V. Debs, Harry Laidler and other socialist writers whose emphasis on peace and improving the conditions of workers had a strong appeal. Also at the time a great socialist city administration existed in the city of Milwaukee whose progam and legislative efforts reflected the best socialist ideals of the times.

Zeidler served as a precinct and ward worker, became secretary of the local and state parties and has served in some role of officer in the Milwaukee and Wisconsin Socialist Parties since 1937. As the party's candidate for office Zeidler ran for office on twelve occasions, including candidacies for governor and the House of Representatives. Zeidler was elected twice to the Milwaukee Board of School Directors (1941-48). In 1948, Zeidler was elected for the first of his three terms as mayor of Milwaukee (1948-1960), becoming the third Socialist mayor of that city. His predecessors were Emil Seidel (1910-12) and Daniel W. Hoan (1916-40). In 1962 and 1963 Zeidler was the Director of the Department of Resource Development of the State of Wisconsin. Since 1964 he has been a consultant in public administration, a lecturer at several universities, colleges and institutions, and a mediator, fact-finder and arbitrator.

In 1958 Zeidler was the national chairperson of the Socialist Party of America. After the SP take-over by right-wing Shachtmanites in 1973 and its consequential reorganization as Social Democrats USA, Zeidler joined the newly re-constituted Socialist Party USA, serving as National Chair until 1984. In 1976 he was the party's candidate for President of the United States running with J. Quinn Brisben of Chicago as candidate for Vice President. He is a recipient of the Eugene V. Debs Award from the Eugene V. Debs Foundation of Terre Haute.

Apart from work in the party Zeidler has been active in community, civic and ecumenical affairs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the nation. He holds four honorary doctorates. His wife, Agnes R. Zeidler, has been a member of the party for almost as long as Zeidler. They have a family of five daughters and one son. He is still active in the party, most recently speaking at the Socialist Party's centennial celebration in Milwaukee.