Rudolph "Rudy" Bradley (born May 16, 1946) is a Florida politician. A Democrat turned Republican, he served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1994 to 2000,[2] representing parts of Pinellas and Manatee Counties[1] as the Representative for the 55th District.

Rudy Bradley
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 55th district
Preceded byDoug Jamerson
Succeeded byFrank Peterman
Personal details
Born (1946-05-16) May 16, 1946 (age 78)
St. Petersburg, Florida
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Michigan, M.S.W., 1979; University of Tampa, B.S., 1969[1]

Early life

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Bradley was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Gas Plant neighborhood.[3] He was the first black athlete at the University of Tampa, and earned a scholarship in 1966 before graduating in 1969. He earned a master's degree in social work.

He has four children, Adia, Ernest, Michael, and Andre.[1]

Career

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He returned to St. Petersburg and was a social worker in Pinellas County Schools for more than 20 years.[3]

Bradley was initially elected in a special election to replace Doug Jamerson after his appointment as Florida Commissioner of Education. In the Democratic primary, he came first in a five person race. He won the General Election with 71.9% of votes.[4]

In his 1996 campaign, he was unopposed for reelection.[5]

While in the House, Bradley sponsored a measure to create $3-million in college scholarships for minority teachers. "I stand behind what the voters of District 55 have told me, resoundingly. . .that education and economic development will resolve the issues of crime."[3]

Bradley was a speaker at the 2000 Republican National Convention.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Rudolph". www.myfloridahouse.gov.
  2. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart.
  3. ^ a b c "Rudy Bradley is forging his own path through Florida's new politics". Tampa Bay Times.
  4. ^ "Rudolph Bradley easily wins short-lived District 55 term". Tampa Bay Times.
  5. ^ He was the first black athlete at the University of Tampa, winning a scholarship in 1966 and graduating in 1969. After earning a master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan, he returned to St. Petersburg, where he has been a social worker in the county schools for more than 20 years.
  6. ^ "Rudy Bradley | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org.