Political Service
The Woodlands Township Board Elections
- 2019: In July 2019, Dr. Shelley filed to run for The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, Position #5. She faced Walter C. Cooke, an attorney, and Rashmi Gupta. Dr. Shelley defeated Cooke and Gupta by receiving 48.43% of the vote, outpacing her nearest rival by nineteen percent. She was sworn in as Director on November 20, 2019.
- 2021: Dr. Shelley was reelected to her second term on November 12, 2021.
- 2023: Dr. Shelley won reelection to the Board on November 7, 2023, pulling ahead of opponent Tricia Danto with 51.38% of the vote.
Special Election Victory
- On November 7, 2006, Dr. Shelley won the special election to fulfill the remainder of former Representative Tom DeLay’s term in the final session of the 109th Congress. On November 13, Dr. Shelley was sworn in for the vacant seat. She said she would use her time in Congress, “For tax cuts. For immigration reform. To make sure we have a good solution for the war in Iraq.”
2006 Congressional Race
- House Majority Leader Tom Delay, who was under indictment for conspiracy charges, of which he was acquitted in 2013, decided to retire from Congress instead of facing a tough reelection campaign the following November. After DeLay’s retirement announcement, Dr. Shelley expressed interest in the position and filed her papers once DeLay had completed the official withdrawal procedure.
- On August 17, 2006, Dr. Shelley was selected as the endorsed Republican write-in candidate for District 22. Dr. Shelley faced Democratic ex-congressman Nick Lampson and Libertarian Bob Smither.
Special Election Victory
- On November 7, 2006, Dr. Shelley won the special election to fulfill the remainder of former Representative Tom DeLay’s term in the final session of the 109th Congress. On November 13, Dr. Shelley was sworn in for the vacant seat. She said she would use her time in Congress, “For tax cuts. For immigration reform. To make sure we have a good solution for the war in Iraq.”
Houston City Council
- 2001: Dr. Shelley won election to the At Large, Position Three on Houston City Council as Shelley Sekula-Rodriguez, from her marriage to the late TV newscaster Sylvan Rodriguez.
- 2005: In 2005, Dr. Shelley was reelected under her present name.
- Dr. Shelley is the first physician ever elected to serve on Houston City Council.
- Dr. Shelley resigned her seat on the Houston City Council on November 8, 2006, following her victory in the special election to fill the unexpired term of Congressman Tom Delay.