[2] In 1902, he ran as a Socialist, losing to Democrat Jacob Kehrein, who received 1,043 votes against 1,031 for Republican George Christianson, 939 for Berner, and 40 for independent Louis Ziener.

[4] He was re-elected in 1906, defeating both Kehrein and Republican Arthur Lambeck; and was additionally assigned to the Assembly committee on libraries.

He now listed himself as a "cigar dealer" by trade, and transferred to the Assembly committee on public improvements.

[6] He was re-elected again in 1910, for the first time polling more votes than his two major party opponents combined; and moved to the Assembly's committees on national and interstate relations, on cities, and on legislative procedure.

[7] In 1912, he chose to run for the Wisconsin State Senate's 6th District seat, losing by a 97-vote margin to Democrat George Weissleder.