Foerster held a variety of political positions in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and was seen as one of the last "machine" politicians from the area.

A native of Pittsburgh, Foerster was active in athletics while a high school student, and while attending Slippery Rock College (now a university).

He was successful in his third bid in 1958, winning one of Allegheny County's allotted at-large seats by defeating former Steelers quarterback John "Harp" Vaughn.

While in the State House, he championed the cause of outdoorsmen and environmentalists, distinguishing himself by authoring Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law.

He received significant backing from the political machine of former Pittsburgh Mayor David Lawrence, whom Foerster had long admired.

Together, Staisey and Foerster toppled incumbent Democratic Commissioners William McClelland and John McGrady in the primary election.