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.

Mayor of Los Angeles

During Bradley's tenure as mayor, LA hosted the 1984 Summer Olympic Games and passed Chicago to become the second most populous city in the country. LA began to emerge as a true world-class city under his guidance. The 1992 Los Angeles riots and the formation of the Christopher Commission also occurred on his watch. The Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX is named in his honor. Bradley had served for twenty years as mayor, one of the longest tenures in Los Angeles history. Overall, much of the progress in Los Angeles may be accredited to Mayor Bradley, as Los Angeles is today seen as an "Alpha" world city - meaning it has attained several international recognition, and is essential in terms of trade and commerce.

Related Topics:
1984 Summer Olympic Games - Chicago - 1992 Los Angeles riots - Christopher Commission - Terminal - LAX

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Bradley died at age 80 in 1998, he was married to Ethel Arnold and had two daughters, Lorraine and Phyllis.

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