Tom Bradley

American politician (1917–1998)

Thomas J. "Tom" Bradley (December 29, 1917 – September 29, 1998) was an American politician. He was the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles. He served from 1973 to 1993. He was the only African-American mayor of that city. His 20 years in office mark the longest time by any mayor in the city's history.

Tom Bradley
38th Mayor of Los Angeles
In office
July 1, 1973 – July 1, 1993
Preceded bySam Yorty
Succeeded byRichard Riordan
Personal details
Born(1917-12-29)December 29, 1917
Calvert, Texas, U.S.
DiedSeptember 29, 1998(1998-09-29) (aged 80)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeInglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Ethel Arnold
ChildrenPhyllis Bradley
Lorraine Bradley
ResidenceLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles (B.A)
Southwestern Law School (J.D)
Military service
Allegiance City of Los Angeles
Branch/service Los Angeles Police
Department
Years of service1940-1961
RankLieutenant

He became mayor after an election in 1973. It made him the second African-American mayor of a major U.S. city.[1] Bradley retired in 1993. His approval ratings had begun dropping because of the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

Bradley ran for Governor of California in 1982 and 1986. He was defeated each time by the Republican George Deukmejian. In 1985, he was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP.[2]

Bradley died on September 29, 1998 in Los Angeles. He died from a stroke caused by a heart attack. He was aged 80.[3]

References

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  1. "May 1972 - Tom Bradley Elected L.A. Mayor; 1st Black Mayor of a Major U.S. City," KCET, undated
  2. "NAACP Spingarn Medal". Archived from the original on 2014-05-05. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  3. Jane Fritsch, "Tom Bradley, Mayor in Era of Los Angeles Growth, Dies," New York Times, September 30, 1998

Other websites

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  Media related to Tom Bradley at Wikimedia Commons