John Seymour, Anaheim mayor and U.S. senator, dies at 88
Key takeaways
- John Seymour was the rare politician who didn’t mind harming his career if it meant doing right by his constituents.
- The lifelong Republican upset his party’s conservative base in the 1980s as a state senator, when he announced his support for abortion rights and opposition to offshore drilling.
- “I’m not going to always be right,” Seymour told reporters in 1990. “Therefore, to expect one to never change a position on an issue ... is too much to ask.”
Then-Sen. John Seymour (R-Calif.), center, gestures while discussing the Los Angeles riots with President George H.W. Bush on Capitol Hill in 1992. At left is then-Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas. (John Duricka / Associated Press) By Gustavo Arellano Columnist Follow April 29, 2026 3 AM PT 10 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
John Seymour was the rare politician who didn’t mind harming his career if it meant doing right by his constituents.
As the newly elected mayor of Anaheim in 1978, he angered the city’s Police Department by suggesting the creation of a citizens oversight commission after residents complained that officers regularly harassed and beat them.