Eric Seastrand

Eric Seastrand (February 7, 1938 – June 20, 1990) was an American businessman and politician from California and a member of the Republican Party.

Born in Fresno, California, Seastrand served in the United States Army and the United States Air Force. He graduated from San Jose State University and was a stockbroker.

Political career

Seastrand first ran for elective office in 1978, when he challenged freshman Democratic Rep. Leon Panetta in the Monterey-based 16th district. Although the seat had been held by a Republican prior to Panetta's victory, Seastrand was only able to score 38.6% of the vote. In 1980, he ran for an open seat in the California State Senate (then held by Republican Bob Nimmo) but narrowly lost to Democratic assemblyman Henry Mello 48.5% to 48.1%.

In 1982 Seastrand won election to the California State Assembly from the Salinas-San Luis Obispo-based 29th district, succeeding Republican Carol Boyd Hallett. He served from 1982 until his death from cancer in 1990. His wife, Andrea, was elected in a special election to succeed him in the legislature and later served one term in the United States House of Representatives (1995–97).

Electoral history