Fred W. Suitor began his career in the granite industry in Vermont, having moved from Quebec during his childhood. He later transitioned to labor union work, becoming a business agent and Secretary-Treasurer for the Quarry Workers union. Suitor's public service career included a term as mayor of Barre, where he proposed and secured a bond for infrastructure improvements during the Great Depression. Throughout his career, he was an active member of the Socialist Party of America and ran for Governor of Vermont twice.

Fred W. Suitor's political philosophy is characterized by a blend of grassroots activism and pragmatic municipal governance, often described as "sidewalk socialism." His involvement in labor unions and advocacy for public works projects during the Great Depression highlight an ideologically agile approach that prioritizes immediate, tangible improvements. Suitor’s unexpected collaboration with opposing factions on economic issues reveals a calculated strategy to balance ideological commitments with regional industrial interests.