In 1892, Wanser was elected mayor of Jersey City when he defeated Democrat Allan L. McDermott.

[1] During his tenure, a major controversy arose over the condition of Jersey City's water supply.

[4] Democrat Edward Hoos won the election against Republican J. Herbert Potts, 15,264 votes to 12,018;[5] however, Wanser refused to vacate the mayor's office claiming the election was not valid until their appeal was heard in court.

[7][8] President William McKinley nominated Wanser to be Postmaster of Jersey City in 1898.

Wanser was a 30-year member of the New Jersey National Guard rising to the rank of colonel of the Fourth Regiment and later to major general.