legislator spotlight Senator Kel Seliger was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2004. Senate District 31 spans 37 counties from the Panhandle to the Permian Basin and includes Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, and Big Spring. Born in Amarillo and raised in Borger, Senator Seliger is a graduate of Borger public schools and Dartmouth College. He spent 35 years in the steel industry. Senator Seliger currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and sits on the Senate Committees for Health & Human Services, Natural Resources & Economic Development, Veteran Affairs & Border Security, and Nominations. Prior to his election to the Senate, Seliger served four terms as Mayor of Amarillo and as a member of the Amarillo City Commission and the Amarillo Civil Service Commission. He and his wife, Nancy, reside in Amarillo, and have two sons, Jonathan and Matthew, and a granddaughter, Collins Gray Seliger. Texas Dealer: What inspired you to run for public office?
Sen. Seliger: I’ve always been interested in
government and my wife and I were always active in public service. I was first elected to the city council in 1989. I have always believed that local government should act like a business and perform like a service provider.
you read and have an open mind to new ideas. It’s also important to be able to speak clearly and to respect that your colleagues are well-intentioned.
TD: What do you think
makes Senate District 31 so unique? Sen. Seliger: To start off with, the district is larger than the state of Indiana, so it’s really big and economically diverse. The district is also the most productive agricultural area of the state, as well as the largest oil and gas producer. I make at least one visit to each county every year, so I get to visit with all kinds of people working really hard in these areas.
TD: What problem or policy do you think deserves more attention?
Sen. Seliger: Public education is the number one
issue that I think about. The future of the state of Texas is sitting in the classrooms today, and it is important that we focus on keeping kids in the classrooms and preparing them for the future. I believe in promoting sound policy that promotes equality and policies that best serve the entire state of Texas.
TD: What is the biggest challenge facing small business owners today?
Sen. Seliger: The biggest challenge for businesses
TD: What skills do you utilize most frequently at the
is stability in the economy. Big fluctuations are really, really threatening, and so it’s important to think about how we can provide stability and as little regulation as we can apply — as little government as possible.
Sen. Seliger: The most important thing to have is
TD: What is the Texas Senate Transportation
Capitol?
interpersonal skills — the ability and willingness to listen to other people. You have to understand what October 2021
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Committee working on currently and in the near future? 21