Herbert Steffes

[1] He worked as a private practice attorney in Milwaukee and was a founding member of the Wisconsin Progressive Party in 1934.

[1] In 1936, Steffes challenged Milwaukee County District Attorney William Zabel on a joint Progressive–Socialist ticket.

[2] Zabel was reelected but died fifteen minutes prior to the closing of polls on Election Day, prompting Progressive Governor Philip La Follette to appoint Steffes as district attorney.

[1] Although Steffes earned more votes than any other Progressive candidate when he was elected to a full term in 1938, he angered the party establishment by prosecuting LaFollette's executive secretary, Thomas Duncan, on charges of vehicular manslaughter.

[5] While his nomination was pending, Steffes was reelected to the Municipal Court, handily defeating Democratic District Attorney William J.