Former Tyler Mayor Will Seek Leo Berman’s Seat

Former Tyler Mayor Joey Seeber has announced that he will seek the state house seat currently held by State Rep. Leo Berman (R-Tyler) in the 2010 Republican Primary.

Berman announced late last month that it was his intention to continue his likely ill-fated run for governor, meaning his seat would be open in 2010. Although Seeber acknowledged in his press release that Berman was running for governor, he did not indicate he would withdraw from the race if Berman abandoned his bid for governor.

Seeber (R-Tyler) served three terms as Mayor of Tyler and several terms on the Tyler City Council. Seeber succeeded former Tyler Mayor Kevin Eltife, now a State Senator, and ended his tenure as mayor last year.

An attorney with Findlay Craft in Tyler and local businessman, Seeber was a popular Tyler mayor. A Tyler Morning-Telegraph editorial from the conclusion of Seeber’s tenure as mayor tells more about his time in that post:

Also among the notable accomplishments of Seeber’s service as mayor was formation of Tyler 21 Project, an ambitious program aimed at getting city residents actively involved in setting goals and priorities for improvement projects and carrying them out. Seeking public input in a comprehensive way allowed many citizens to offer their input on Tyler’s bright future.

Since moving to Tyler 15 years ago Seeber also has been involved in community and civic organizations. He was active in supporting the successful Tyler Independent School District bond issue and has served on boards of the American Heart Association, the Literacy Council of Tyler, the Parent Services Center and Tyler Teen Court.

The first five years of his Tyler residency Seeber was in active law practice. He left active law practice and has owned and operated several businesses. Currently he is president of WC Supply Company in Tyler. He and his wife, Kristin, have two sons.

He also was honored for his community leadership by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce in 1999 as recipient of the W.C. Windsor Award.

While serving as mayor, Seeber has been extremely active in representing the city in support of numerous community activities. He established a reputation of being a good listener and highly effective in getting things done. Seeber’s commitment to open government has been a welcome part of his tenure.

One fellow council member suggested the leadership skills Seeber showed as mayor likely will emerge in other areas in years to come, saying, “I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Joey Seeber.” A look at Seeber’s resume even before his service as mayor suggests that assessment is on the mark.

In his announcement press release, Seeber seemed to signal a departure from Berman’s agenda–which has basically included grabbing headlines for anti-immigration measures for the last four years:

“Leo’s commitment to cutting taxes and fighting for illegal immigration reform is commendable,” said Seeber. “We have different personalities but we are both boot-strap conservatives who have worked side by side in the Republican trenches.”

Seeber added that he would offer a campaign platform focused on lower taxes, quality public schools, consumer protections, property owner protections, environmental responsibility and supporting Texas families.

Note that “quality public schools” and “environmental responsibility” are two concepts that are alien to Leo Berman (no pun intended).

Note also that Seeber distances himself from Berman’s wingnut ways.

Although it is still early in the cycle, expect Seeber to have opposition. If Berman runs again, that will likely be his only opposition. If Berman doesn’t run again, expect a pile of Republicans who want to play the “look who is more conservative” game to jump out of the wood work–such as former Smith County Commissioner Jo Ann Flemming, who has been rumored to be eyeing a challenge to Eltife or a bid for a seat left open by Berman.

One thing about this district is that if Seeber wins the GOP primary, the district will be a write-off for Democrats. Because of the makeup of the district, Democrats only real hope to win the district is if Berman holds it or another right-wing Republican holds the GOP nomination.

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