Elected: 2009
Termed: 2014
Steven Bradford is the California State Assemblymember, representing the 51st Assembly District in the California Legislature, comprised of the historical and culturally rich communities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, Playa Vista, South Los Angeles, Watts-Willowbrook, and Westchester, as well as parts of Ladera Heights and West Compton.
Assemblymember Bradford currently serves as the Chair of the California State Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, where he focuses on supplier diversity, stimulating green job opportunities for all Californians and balancing investments in new technologies with ratepayer protection. Additionally, Bradford serves as Chair of the State’s Select Committee on Procurement, and is a member of the Assembly Appropriations, Housing and Community Development and Local Government committees.
During his freshman year as a state legislator, Bradford presented a sound and aggressive legislative package. His legislative package included nine bills that reached the governor’s desk, seven of which were signed into law. Bradford saw AB 2188, “Disability Benefits” adopted into law; this allows unemployed Californians to receive certain benefits through a convenient means, but also protects them against excessive, hidden and unnecessary fees that eat away at their income. Another bill that the Assemblymember saw chaptered into law is AB 2758, “Modernizing Supplier Diversity Reporting,” a law that now requires utility providers to report specifically on their procurement with minority, women and disabled veteran owned businesses. It also focuses on renewable energy, broadband, wireless, and rail projects and recognizes that minority businesses can play a big part in emerging technologies in our state and need to be incorporated in the procurement decisions made by utility providers. Additionally, AB 2572, “Hired Driver Services,” AB 2426, “Surrogacy Practitioners Fraud Prevention Act,” and AB 2567, “Street Sweepers: Digital Photography” were chaptered into law.
Next on the horizon for the Assemblymember is focusing on financial stability for Californians. He plans to reintroduce legislation that will help more Californians enter the financial mainstream and build savings through participating banks and credit unions, which would offer and promote reasonably-priced transactional, loan, and credit products.
Assemblymember Bradford continues to work in bipartisan accord with his colleagues in Sacramento, as he continues to push for: economic development in his district and across California, affordable housing, public safety, quality healthcare, education and community enrichment. Understanding this importance, Bradford has established the 51st Assembly District’s Citizens’ Advisory Council (CAC). The CAC serves as an umbrella structure that includes the Education, Health and Human Services, Small Business and Women Issues Commissions. Each commission is comprised of volunteer leaders and activists that work together to advance the CAC’s mission, which provides constituents with a vehicle to incorporate their participation in the legislative process. Members from the CAC help organize and involve their neighbors and colleagues participation in town halls, community forums, and an annual delegation visit to Sacramento.
A local man with humble beginnings, Bradford’s history in the district began when he moved to Gardena with his family, at age nine. He attended Purche Avenue Elementary School, Henry Clay Junior High School and Gardena High School. Following high school, the Assemblymember went off to attend San Diego State University and California State University at Dominguez Hills, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Prior to his Assembly election, Bradford served on Gardena’s City Council for over 12 years, the first African American to hold this post, and worked as a public affairs executive at Southern California Edison.