The Milwaukee Socialists, part 2: Emil Seidel

Lake Effect Spotlight · Jun 23, 2026 · 12m

Milwaukee is known for its deep ties to Socialism. It was the first city to elect a Socialist mayor and was the first place to elect a Socialist to Congress. But their rise to power was rocky and their status as a third party often made progress an uphill battle.

We’re exploring the accomplishments of the Milwaukee's three Socialist mayors, where we see their legacy today, and how the party has evolved.

In this episode, we look into what happened after the monumental election of 1910, which propelled the city’s first Socialist mayor into office — Emil Seidel.