Former Times political writer

Howard Seelye, 86, a former political writer for the Orange County edition of the Los Angeles Times, died Tuesday at his home in the northern San Diego County city of Fallbrook, after a short illness, according to his family.

Seelye joined The Times in 1966 after serving as press secretary for Robert H. Finch during his successful race for lieutenant governor of California. At The Times, Seelye handled political coverage for the emerging Orange County edition. He worked at The Times until 1976, when he took early retirement and joined the staff of newly elected Rep. Robert E. Badham (R-Newport Beach).

He retired to an avocado ranch in Fallbrook in the 1980s but was active in public relations as a representative of the California Avocado Commission for several years.

A native of Whittier, Seelye graduated from Whittier College and served in the Coast Guard during World War II.

After the war, he worked at newspapers in Whittier and El Centro. He and his wife, Gloria, were later part owners of newspapers in Pismo Beach, Grover City and Palos Verdes. Seelye was also managing editor of the Daily Tribune in the San Gabriel Valley. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1960.