Former mayor of Los Angeles

Tom Bradley was a former mayor of Los Angeles, California, serving the city for 20 years, from 1973 to 1993. His was the longest tenure by a mayor in the city. He was the earliest and to date only African-American mayor of LA. Bradley’s appointment in 1973, made him the second African-American mayor of a major city in the United States.

Prior to being mayor of Los Angeles, he worked at the Los Angeles City Council between 1963 and 1972. Bradley and comrade Billy G. Mills were hailed the first African-Americans appointed to the City Council in 1963. His 10th District was focused on the Crenshaw area, a multi-ethnic location. He and his affiliates also handled the Watts Riots in 1965.

In 1982 and 1986, he ran for Governor of California but did not win. When he finally became mayor of LA, he had quite a number of accomplishments.

During his term, LA hosted the 1984 Summer Olympic Games and was named one of most populous cities in the country. Bradley helped in donating to the financial accomplishments of Los Angeles through the development of the Century City and Warner Center satellite business hubs. He led the building of the city’s light rail network. Bradley also headed the expansion of the Los Angeles International Airport as well as the building of numerous terminals, which exist to this day. One of these, the Tom Bradley International Terminal, is named in the former Mayor’s honor.

He was given an opportunity in a cabinet-level position in President Jimmy Carter’s administration but he turned down the offer.

Tom Bradley 20-year service in the city of Los Angeles outshone Fletcher Bowron, who due to his served four-term service, previously held the record as being the mayor who had the longest tenure.