Socialism is having a politically effervescent moment: From a self-professed socialist winning New York’s mayoralty to leftist members of Wisconsin’s Legislature forming a “Socialist caucus” for the first time since 1931, the soft-core version of Marxism is gaining prominence.
One marker: A member of that caucus, Rep. Francesca Hong of Madison, has led a crowded Democratic Party primary race for governor in three runs of the well-regarded Marquette Law School poll. She identifies as a Democratic Socialist, as do many of her ideological soulmates who seek office.
She is running in a state where socialists have had more success via democracy than perhaps any other, albeit a century ago. Friendly media outlets frequently refer to Wisconsin’s 20th-century dalliance with socialism — especially Milwaukee’s, where socialists held the mayor’s office for 38 years between 1910 and 1960, a fact so well known that it long since has worked its way into pop culture.
The references to Milwaukee’s so-called “sewer socialist” era are meant to defuse the radical nature of socialism’s politics, with references to Milwaukee’s socialist mayors embracing public works, parks and anti-corruption measures.
The nostalgia leaves some parts out. One of Milwaukee socialism’s high points was electing the first Socialist to Congress. Victor Berger won the seat representing northern Milwaukee County in 1910, after Socialist Emil Seidel was elected Milwaukee mayor in the spring.
Often glossed over is that fact unearthed in a Badger Institute story that Berger was a virulent bigot.
He argued against granting women the right to vote, saying they were “not as favorable to Socialism as men are,” being “under the domination of reactionary priests.” He opposed immigration from eastern Europe, saying such “modern white coolies” would depress wages. A newspaper publisher and writer, he wrote the he had “no doubt that the negroes and mulattoes constitute a lower race.”