Bradley, Tom (1917-1998), was the first African American mayor of Los Angeles. He was mayor from 1973 to 1993. In 1973, Bradley defeated Mayor Sam Yorty and became leader of what was then the third largest U.S. city. African Americans made up about 18 percent of the city’s population in 1973, but Bradley won over 56 percent of the total vote. He was reelected in 1977, 1981, 1985, and 1989 and was the only person ever elected mayor of Los Angeles more than three times. A large majority of the city’s black voters supported him in all five elections, but he also got strong backing from whites. Bradley ran for governor of California in 1982 and 1986, losing both times.
Thomas Bradley, a sharecropper’s son, was born on Dec. 29, 1917, in Calvert, Texas. He graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1940. He served on the Los Angeles police force for 21 years, studying law at night. In 1961, Bradley retired as a lieutenant and began to practice law. He served on the Los Angeles city council from 1963 until he became mayor. In 1985, Bradley received the Spingarn Medal for his work in law and for his public and political leadership. In 1993, Bradley declined to seek a sixth term as mayor of Los Angeles. He returned to practicing law after stepping down as mayor. Bradley died Sept. 29, 1998.
See also Los Angeles riots of 1992 .
