Thomas Van Lear

Thomas H. Van Lear (April 26, 1869 – March 4, 1931) was an American politician who served as the 28th Mayor of Minneapolis from January 1, 1917 to January 6, 1919. Van Lear was a member of the Socialist Party of America.

Early life Van Lear was born in Maryland in 1869. As a boy, he worked in the area's coal mines and he joined the Knights of Labor on his 18th birthday. In ~1900, he joined the Socialist Party of America. He later served in the United States Army during the Spanish–American War, before relocating to Minneapolis to work as a machinist. He soon became active with the International Association of Machinists and other trade and union groups in the city.

Career In 1902, Van Lear ran for governor of Minnesota, placing fifth, with only 0.95% of the vote. This was his first entry into electoral politics. Van Lear was capable of gaining support via his oratory skills. He slowly gained support among Minneapolis workers through his criticism of business owners, managers, and strike-breakers. He was elected mayor of Minneapolis on November 7, 1916, beating the Republican Sheriff Otto Langum. Van Lear campaigned on greater city control over public transportation, municipal utilities, founding public food markets, and increased education funding. He benefitted from support from progressive Democrats. The Duluth Union Labor Party supported Van Lear in 1916. However, following his electoral victory, he would lose the favor of the DULP due to Van Lear's opposition to American entry into World War I. Van Lear's attempts to please both pro-war and anti-war supporters failed. His pro-war supporters found themselves breaking with Van Lear's party, and his anti-war supporters found themselves breaking with Van Lear himself. He would lost re-election to the conservative J. E. Meyers in 1918, who ran under the 'Loyalist' ticket. Van Lear's last run for political office would be an attempt to return to his position as mayor, in 1921. He would lose the election.