<P> The Party was the brainchild of Philip La Follette and Robert M. La Follette , Jr. , the sons of the famous Wisconsin Governor and Senator Robert M. La Follette , Sr ... The party was established in 1934 as an alliance between the longstanding `` Progressive '' faction of the Republican Party of Wisconsin , led by the La Follette family and their political allies , and certain radical farm and labor groups active in Wisconsin at the time . The party served as a vehicle for Philip to run for re-election as Governor of Wisconsin and for Robert to run for re-election to the United States Senate . Both men were successful in their bids , and the party saw a number of other victories as well in the 1934 and 1936 election , notably winning several U.S. House seats and a majority of the Wisconsin State Senate and Wisconsin State Assembly in 1936 . Their grip on power was short - lived , however , and they succumbed to a united Democratic and Republican front in 1938 which swept most of them out of office , including Philip . They were further crippled that year by attempting to expand the party to the national level . </P>
who led the progressive movement in wisconsin where he served as governor
the La Follette family and their political allies