Steven Bradford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Steven Bradford
Bradford in 2016
Member of the California State Senate from the 35th district
In office December 5, 2016 – November 30, 2024
Preceded by	Isadore Hall III
Succeeded by	Laura Richardson
Member of the California State Assembly
In office September 10, 2009 – November 30, 2014
Preceded by	Curren Price
Succeeded by	Autumn Burke
Constituency	51st district (2009–2012) 62nd district (2012–2014)
Personal details
Born	Steven Craig Bradford (1960-01-12) January 12, 1960 (age 65)
Political party	Democratic
Education	San Diego State University California State University, Dominguez Hills (BA)

Steven Craig Bradford (born January 12, 1960) is an American politician. He served in the California State Senate from 2016 to 2024. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He represented the 35th district, which includes parts of Los Angeles County.

Before becoming a state senator, he was an assembly member. He represented the 62nd district in the California State Assembly. Bradford was first elected to the 51st district in 2009. He was re-elected in 2010. Later, he was elected to represent the new 62nd District. This district includes communities like Inglewood and Venice Beach.

Before his time in the Assembly, Bradford served on the Gardena City Council. He is currently running for lieutenant governor of California in the 2026 election.

Steven Bradford's Early Life and Career

Bradford moved to Gardena, California, when he was nine years old. He went to local schools there, including Gardena High School. After high school, he studied at San Diego State University. He also attended California State University, Dominguez Hills. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science.

Bradford made history in Gardena. He was the first African American to be elected to the Gardena City Council. He served on the council for more than 12 years. For one year, he also served as Mayor Pro Tem. This role is like a temporary mayor.

Before his political career, he worked in business. He spent 12 years as a public affairs executive at Southern California Edison. He also worked for seven years at IBM. Later, he was a program director at the Los Angeles Conservation Corps.

Helping California as an Assembly Member

Bradford speaks to the Senate Rules Committee. He supported Commissioner Janea A. Scott.

During his time in the Assembly, Bradford led the Committee on Utilities and Commerce. This committee handles laws about electricity, natural gas, and phone services. Their decisions impact homes, businesses, and the environment in California.

As chair, Bradford became well-known for leading important hearings. These hearings investigated major power outages. They looked at how different authorities could respond better. They also tried to prevent future outages. For example, in 2011, he held a hearing in San Diego. This was after a huge power outage hit the Pacific Southwest.

In 2012, he held another hearing in Alhambra. This meeting investigated a big power outage in Los Angeles. It happened because of a massive windstorm.

In 2013, Assembly Speaker John A. Perez chose Bradford for a special role. He became the Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color. This committee includes lawmakers from both parties. Their job is to find facts and suggest ways to help young men in California. They especially focus on Black and Latino boys.

Bradford was invited to the White House in February. He attended President Barack Obama's announcement of "My Brother's Keeper." This program helps boys and men of color. It supports the work Bradford's committee was already doing. The goal is to give young men the tools to succeed. It also aims to remove unfair barriers they face.

Making Laws for a Better State

Bradford in 2023.

Besides leading the Utilities and Commerce Committee, Bradford also wrote several laws. Many of these laws were about energy and utilities.

In 2012, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 1511 into law. This law makes property sellers tell buyers about natural gas pipelines nearby. Bradford wrote this law after a deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno, California.

Bradford also wrote AB 2201. This law increased fines for companies that break pipeline safety rules. His bill raised the maximum fine to $200,000 per day. The total maximum fine became $2,000,000. This brought California's rules in line with federal laws.

Bradford also gained attention for AB 2514. This bill asked the California Public Utilities Commission to study solar energy programs. While these programs help solar power grow, Bradford wanted to ensure costs were fair. He worried they might unfairly shift costs to homes without solar panels.

By the end of 2013, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed 11 of Bradford's bills into law. These laws focused on public safety, solar energy, and making the justice system better.

By the end of 2014, Bradford had sent 15 bills to the governor. One important bill signed was AB 2634. This law gives courts more power. They can stop police departments with a history of civil rights violations.

Other bills he worked on included:

• AB 2673: This bill aimed to make sure drivers who cause hit-and-run accidents face consequences. It prevents them from avoiding criminal charges with just a money payment.
• AB 1327: This bill set rules for public agencies using drones. It required a warrant and public notice before using a drone. It also said that data collected must be deleted within one year. This bill also stopped drones from being armed with weapons.

Run for Lieutenant Governor

On April 15, 2024, Steven Bradford announced his plan to run for lieutenant governor of California. This election will happen in 2026.

Electoral History

Steven Bradford was first elected in a special election in 2009. This happened after Curren Price resigned to join the State Senate. Bradford was then elected for his first full term in 2010.

After the 2010 Census, California's voting districts were redrawn. Bradford ran for the new 62nd district. This district included many of the same cities from his previous 51st district. The local newspaper, the Daily Breeze, supported his election to the 62nd Assembly district.

Here are some of his election results: