Occupation: Steel Service Centers, Klockner/Lake Steel
Education: Graduate of Borger Public Schools and Dartmouth College
Hometown: Amarillo
Party: Republican

Kel Seliger was first sworn in to the Texas Senate on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 2004, after a special election, and was reelected on November 4, 2008, to serve the citizens of District 31 for a second, four-year term. The current district spans 26 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 is the vice-president of Klockner/Lake Steel, a steel service center. He is also a licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor.

Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst appointed Senator Seliger to serve as Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting for the 82nd Legislature. Seliger is also currently serving on the Senate Education Committee. He continues his membership on the influential Senate Finance Committee, and as a member of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on International Relations and Trade. In the interim following the 82nd Legislature, Lt. Governor Dewhurst appointed Seliger to serve on the Joint Committee on Oversight of Higher Education Governance, Excellence & Transparency, as well as the newly created Joint Interim Committee to Study the Public School Finance System.

As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting, Senator Seliger worked tirelessly with members of the Texas Senate to successfully produce new State Board of Education, State House, and State Senate districts that are both fair and legal. For the first time in two decades, the Texas Legislature passed all of the new district maps during a legislative session under Seliger's leadership.

Senator Seliger also continued his active service on the Senate Natural Resources Committee during 82nd Legislative Session, particularly in the areas of groundwater and the disposal of low-level radioactive waste. Senate Bill 1504 and Senate Bill 1605 will allow for the importation and disposal of that waste and create a new governing and funding structure for the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission to ensure effective management of that waste. As a key leader on groundwater policy, Seliger advanced measures to improve the process for establishing desired future conditions (DFC) and the management of priority groundwater management areas (PGMA) matters.

Senator Seliger had a highly productive 81st Regular Session, especially in the areas of energy and economic development. House Bill 469 provided significant state-level incentives for the development of new "clean coal" technology in Texas. Complimentary to that effort, Seliger ensured the passage of Senate Bill 1387 to establish the necessary regulatory framework for the capture and safe geologic storage of carbon dioxide to encourage this emerging new CO2 geologic storage industry to thrive in our state.

In his first regular legislative session, Senator Seliger's legislative accomplishments included the passage of House Bill 2577, requiring local law enforcement agencies to report to the state the reason for a peace officer's termination, as well as House Bill 216, which was enacted to ensure that effective pipeline safety standards are in place for all construction work around oil and gas pipelines. His work on criminal justice, natural resources and other important issues continued during the 80th Regular Session. House Bill 530 provided additional funding for the expansion of drug courts. Senate Bill 1383 ensured that groundwater districts can more fully investigate allegations of violations of groundwater permits and groundwater district rules. Furthermore, he co-authored Senate Bill 1031 by Senator Florence Shapiro to eliminate the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test at the high school level and replace it with end-of-course exams based on recommended curriculum.

His involvement and leadership has earned him acknowledgments from respected organizations throughout the state. Most recently, the Texas Municipal League recognized Seliger as their 2011 Legislator of the Year for his strong, principled support of local control throughout the 82nd Legislative Session. His leadership on criminal justice issues resulted in the Texas District and County Attorneys Association honoring him with their Law and Order Award in 2009, complemented by his 2009 Legislator of the Year Award from the Associated Security Services and Investigators of the State of Texas. The Texas Association of Business recently recognized Senator Seliger a third time as a Fighter for Free Enterprise for his steadfast support of policies that encourage and promote a healthy business climate in Texas. The citizens of Odessa honored him with the 2009 Heritage of Odessa Foundation Community Statesman Award in Government.

Other notable past recognitions include the Texas Municipal League Distinguished Legislative Service Award, the Rural Legislator of the Year Award from the Association of Rural Communities in Texas, the National Federation of Independent Business/Texas Guardian of Small Business award, the "Smart on Crime" Award by the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, the Helen Farabee Leadership Award from the Texas Perinatal Association, and the "Golden Apple," the highest award given by the Texas Association of Mid-Size Schools.

In addition to his service in the Legislature, Senator Seliger's leadership in the areas of education, natural resources and criminal justice has resulted in key appointments on the state, regional and national level. Most recently, Senator Seliger was asked by Lt. Governor Dewhurst to serve on the Advisory Board of the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, a two-year, residential, early college entrance program serving approximately 380 Texans at the University of North Texas. He also is currently serving on the University Interscholastic League Advisory Council. He also continues to serve as the State Co-Chairman for the American Legislative Exchange Council. Seliger was also reappointed to serve on The Energy Council, a legislative organization that fosters the development of sound energy and environmental policies, and remains one of the Texas representatives on the Energy and Environment Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments. He also continues to be active in the National Conference of State Legislatures, with his membership on the Law and Criminal Justice Committee. Governor Perry also reappointed Seliger to the Crime Victims Institute Advisory Board at Sam Houston State University.

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. In 2002, he was appointed to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission by Governor Rick Perry. Senator Seliger is currently a member of the National Rifle Association, the Texas Farm Bureau, and the Harley-Davidson Owners Group.

Senator Seliger and his wife Nancy reside in Amarillo, and have two sons, Jonathan and Matthew.

Press Room
[Press Archives: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005]

May 14, 2012
Early Voting Reminder

April 30, 2012
Important Reminder about Voter Registration

April 27, 2012
Statement from Senator Seliger on Comments Made by Dr. Armendariz Regarding the Enforcement Strategy of the Environmental Protection Agency

April 25, 2012
Media Advisory: Senate Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing on Dunes Sagebrush Lizard

April 18, 2012
Senator Seliger to Hold Senate Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing on Dunes Sagebrush Lizard

[ MORE ... ]

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Office Information

82nd Legislature Committee Membership

• Redistricting, Select, Chair
• Education
• Finance
• International Relations and Trade
• Natural Resources
• Joint Committee on Oversight of Higher Education Governance, Excellence & Transparency
• Subcommittee on Public Education Funding
• Subcommittee on Public Safety
• Subcommittee on Higher Education Funding
• Joint Interim Committee to Study the Public School Finance System

District Analysis: District 31

Click the map to view a detailed district map in PDF format

Population and Household Education and Employment Income and Analysis Population Analysis Precinct and Districts Cities and Census Designated Places School Districts General Election Analysis