Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 51; Democratic Party

STEVEN C. BRADFORD is the Mayor Pro Tem of the city of Gardena. He has been elected to the Gardena City Council an unprecedented three terms since 1997. As the first African-American and at 46 years of age, Bradford is a senior member of Council, serving as Mayor Pro Tem three times during the past eight-plus years.

His family moved to Gardena when Bradford was nine years old. He attended Purche Avenue Elementary School, Henry Clay Junior High School, and graduated from Gardena High School. He attended San Diego State University and California State University, Dominguez Hills, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and a Paralegal Certificate.

Respected for his straight-forward communication technique, Bradford is well-known for his quarterly Up-Close, Open Council Office Sessions, which offer opportunities for residents and local business people to provide him vital input on community affairs.

Bradford served as a marketing representative with IBM from 1983 through 1990, leaving only to run his first campaign for a seat on the Gardena City Council. His experiences in student government, student body council, as well as his knowledge from working on several political campaigns, fueled his energies as he prepared for his first public office. He further utilized these skills as the District Director of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's Torrance District Office, gaining invaluable experience working hand-in-hand for necessary mutual support on important legislative issues.

An exemplary professional career in private and public service has prepared Bradford well for his tenure on the Gardena City Council, including his time spent as program director and recycling coordinator for the Los Angeles Conservation Corps from 1990 to 1994. Two additional years as the solid waste director for the City of Compton, brought Bradford invaluable insight into the new challenges facing the City of Gardena due to state legislation affecting the field of waste management and reporting.

Bradford's extraordinary leadership in the community is exhibited through his ongoing commitments and involvements, including:

Serving as the National Director of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity's "Bigger and Better Business."

Active membership in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Committee of Gardena.

Chair of the Black History Month Celebration Committee.

A member of the PTA. An assistant troop leader in the Boy Scouts.

Past president of the Hollypark Homeowners Association.

A volunteer coach in Gardena's youth sports programs.

Mayor Pro Tem Bradford provided intuitive leadership as sponsor of the city's First Annual Jazz Festival held in August 2003 at a local Gardena park. An overwhelming success, the second and third annual Jazz Festivals drew even greater crowds from Gardena and the surrounding communities for this "No Admission Fee" event featuring well-known, international recording artists. Bradford continues to chair the City's Jazz Committee, which is planning its Fourth Annual Festival in August 2006.

Bradford has been the honored recipient of a number of special recognitions for his exemplary and dedicated endeavors at a state, county, and community level, including:

February 2003 -Honored with a Trailblazer Award, given by the Gardena Black History Month Celebration Committee.

July 2003 - Received the 2003 Hoodie "Public Servant of the Year" Award from Southern California-wide listeners of Radio Station 100.3 -The Beat.

July 2003 -Named the 2003 Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt "Democrat of the Year" by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.

July 2004 -Received the 2004 Community Leadership Award from the National Leadership of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. for his contributions in the field of waste management and reporting, his work with youth programs, and his active involvement as Director of Phi Beta Sigma's "Bigger and Better Business Program."

July 2005 - Honored by the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity brothers at the International Convention in Los Angeles, as "Man of the Year" during their "African American Image Awards" event.

The following is a current list of local and regional Southern California organizations on which Councilman Bradford capably represents the City of Gardena.

Official Delegate, representing the City of Gardena:

• California Cities for Self-Reliance Joint Powers Authority
• Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District
• Independent Cities Association ( ICA)
• South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority
• Alternate Delegate, representing the City of Gardena:
• California Contract Cities Association (CCCA
• League of California Cities ( Los Angeles County Division)
• Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)
• Serving the City of Gardena:
• Gardena Black History Month Celebration Committee (Chair)
• Gardena Jazz Festival Committee (Chair)