Jay Bradford
American insurance businessman and politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jacobs Turner "Jay" Bradford (born April 30, 1940) is an insurance businessman and politician in Arkansas.[1] He served in the Arkansas Senate 1983-2000 serving as President of the Arkansas Senate 1999-2000 and then served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2000 until 2007.
- 71st district (2001–2003)
- 18th district (2003–2007)
Jay Bradford | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives | |
| In office January 8, 2001 – January 8, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Pat Pappas |
| Succeeded by | Toni Bradford |
| Constituency |
|
| President pro tempore of the Arkansas Senate | |
| In office January 11, 1999 – January 8, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Wayne Dowd |
| Succeeded by | Mike Beebe |
| Member of the Arkansas Senate | |
| In office January 10, 1983 – January 8, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Morrell Gathright |
| Succeeded by | Brenda Gullett |
| Constituency |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jacobs Turner Bradford April 30, 1940 Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Anne T. Bradford |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Subiaco Academy Henderson State University |
| Profession | Politician, insurance businessman |
Biography
Bradford was born April 30, 1940 Little Rock, Arkansas to J. Turner Bradford and Chrystal Jacobs Bradford and was one of four children.[1] When he was eight he and his siblings moved to live with relatives in Paris, Arkansas after his mother died.[1] He was educated in the Subiaco Academy followed by Henderson State University where obtained a bachelor's degree in economics and psychology in 1963.[1]
He worked in insurance and was the founder and chairman of the First Arkansas Insurance Group as well as being president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas.[1]
Bradford started his political career as an alderman in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.[1] Then he ran for a seat in the Arkansas Senate as a Democrat in 1982 and won, a position he would serve from 1983 to 2000[2][3] before being term limited out.[4] Bill Clinton nominated Bradford as chairman of the Democratic Party in 1889 when Skip Rutherford resigned but in February the next year Bradford resigned to avoid a lawsuit for serving a dual role.[5] In his final years in the senate he served as President of the Arkansas Senate in 1999/2000.[2] He then served in the Arkansas House after running unopposed[4] serving from 2000 until 2007.[1] He has also been appointed as a state official and served as a state commissioner of insurance.[1]
After his political career he returned to the insurance business. He is married to Anne T. Bradford, they have a child, and live in Pine Bluff.[6][1]
