Jim Bradford (politician)

Jim Bradford
Member of the South Dakota Senate
from the 27th district
In office
2009–2017
Preceded byTheresa Two Bulls
Succeeded byKevin Killer
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
from the 27th district
In office
January 9, 2001 (2001-Jan-09) – January 13, 2009 (2009-Jan-13)
Preceded byLarry Lucas
Succeeded byKevin Killer
Personal details
Born(1933-10-18)October 18, 1933
DiedNovember 16, 2020(2020-11-16) (aged 87)
Political partyDemocratic
Other political
affiliations		Republican (2008–2010)
Democratic (2000–2008)
ResidencePine Ridge, South Dakota
ProfessionRancher
Teacher (retired)

James Arnold Bradford (October 18, 1933 – November 16, 2020)[1][2] was a rancher, teacher, politician and Democratic member of the South Dakota Senate, representing the 27th district between 2009 and 2017. He first was elected to office in the South Dakota House of Representatives. He was an Oglala Sioux.

Career

Bradford had a career as a public school teacher before deciding to run for office. He lived on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where he also had a ranch.

Political career

Bradford was first elected to office as a Democratic member of the state House of Representatives.

In 2008, he switched parties to the Republican Party after having lost the Democratic primary to the incumbent Democratic senator Theresa Two Bulls. No Republican opposed him, and he narrowly won the election over Two Bulls by 277 votes. A year after winning re-election to the state senate, Bradford switched back to the Democratic Party.

References

  1. ^ Bartels, Del (2020-11-20). "Flags at half-staff to honor former State Senator Jim Bradford". Capital Journal. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  2. ^ "Obituary for James Bradford | Chamberlain Chapel". Chamberlain Chapel. Retrieved 2020-12-13.


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