Politically, Seymour, a Republican, served as a member of the City Council of Anaheim, California from 1974-1978, as Mayor of Anaheim from 1978-1982, a State Senator from 1982-1991, and United States Senator from California from 1991-1992. Seymour had been appointed to the U.S. Senate by GovernorPete Wilson, to serve in the seat Wilson had vacated to become Governor. Seymour's appointment was scheduled to last until the 1992 special election to select a replacement who would serve until the normal expiration of Wilson's term in 1994. DemocratDianne Feinstein won the special election and was reelected in 1994 and 2000 Senate elections.