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.Obituary of Eric Seastrand
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.https://www.joincalifornia.com/election/1978-11-07 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%.https://www.joincalifornia.com/election/1980-11-04
In 1982 Seastrand won election to the California State Assembly from the Salinas-San Luis Obispo-based 29th district, succeeding Republican Carol Boyd Hallett.Eric Seastrand-JoinCalifornia.com 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).Obituary of Eric SeastrandEric Seastrand-JoinCalifornia.com
Electoral history + Member, California State Assembly: 1982-1990YearOfficeDemocratVotesPctRepublicanVotesPct1978U.S House of Representatives District 16Leon Panetta104,55061.4%Eric Seastrand65,80838.6%1980California State Senate District 17Henry Mello117,76948.5%Eric Seastrand116,93148.1%1982California State Assembly District 39Kurt P. Kupper40,58439.6Eric Seastrand61,82860.4%1984California State Assembly District 29Nell Langford36,52528.9%Eric Seastrand89,88171.1%1986California State Assembly District 29Robert B. Webber 26,01726.2%Eric Seastrand71,79072.4%1988California State Assembly District 29Jan Bradford44,07032.9%Eric Seastrand89,93567.1%
Notes