Due to unemployment, Steinhoff went to Berlin, where he worked and attended Deutsche Hochschule für Politik.

A year later Steinhoff became managing director of newspaper distribution, and became the party secretary in Hagen.

In the 1929 local elections, the SPD reached a majority, and Steinhoff was an honorary magistrate for Youth Sport Care and city gardening.

Despite the CDU having a majority in the city council after the local elections, Steinhoff retained his office until 1956.

Steinhoff was using the "Young Turks" in the FDP successfully in a motion of no confidence put against Arnold.

In the parliamentary election of 1958, the SPD were able to win votes alongside the FDP and the center, but suffered electoral losses.