Tom Bradley (politician)

Thomas (Tom) Bradley (December 29, 1917 – September 29, 1998) was the mayor of Los Angeles, California from 1973 to 1993 (five terms), and the first African American mayor of that city. He unsuccessfully ran for governor in 1982 and 1986. In 1982 he was narrowly defeated by then California Attorney General George Deukmejian. On election night, in fact, a number of news organizations made early projections that Bradley had won. In the final tally, however, Deukmejian carried the day by fewer than 53,000 votes. Bradley ran against Deukmejian again in 1986, but the governor won that election comfortably.

Early life

His upbringing began in Texas as the son of a share cropper, and the grandson of former slaves.By the time he attended Los Angeles Poly High School,Tom Bradley starred in both,football and track. Bradley became a member of the Los Angeles Police Department in 1940 and become a Lieutenant, the highest rank held by an African American police officer in the city of Los Angeles at that time. While working on the force, he studied at night at Southwestern University and received his law degree. Bradley would later pass the bar exam to become a lawyer.

Related Topics:
Slaves - Los Angeles Police Department - 1940 - African American - Southwestern University - Lawyer

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He would later serve on the Los Angeles City Council from 1963 to 1972, when he would run for Mayor. He would become the first African American to serve on the City Council in 1963. His 10th District was centered in the multi-ethnic Crenshaw area, the majority of whose voters were white. During his tenure, he spoke out against racial segregation within the LAPD, as well as the department?s handling of the Watts Riots in 1965.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles City Council - 1963 - 1972 - 1965

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