Steve Bradford won Tuesday's Special Election to replace now-State Senator Curren Price in the State Assembly by getting the most votes in the 51st district Primary election.
Los Angeles County - Assembly District 51Although the result was widely expected (and Bradford was endorsed by Equality California, Stonewall Democrats and MadProfessah) in recent days before the election there had been rumors and press stories that Steve Bradford was backtracking on his previously vocal position supporting marriage equality (despite the fact that the 51st Assembly District voted overwhelmingly in favor of Proposition 8 in November 2008).100.00% (158 of 158) precincts partially or fully reporting as of Sep 1, 2009, 10:52 p.m.
Candidate Votes Percent Steven Bradford (Dem) 7,145 Mervin Leon Evans (Dem) 164 David Coffin (Rep) 2,308 Thomas Jefferson Cares (Dem) 626 Robert Pullen-Miles (Dem) 666 Gloria D. Gray (Dem) 2,591
In fact, MadProfessah was quoted in an article at The Daily Breeze last week urging Bradford to stay strong:
Let's hope that Assemblymember-elect Bradford lives up to his promises to be a champion for equality for all people.
Ron Buckmire, a gay black activist who blogs under the name the Mad Professah, recently endorsed Bradford, noting his support for gay unions.
"The gay community definitely thinks it's a big deal," he said. "The black community's position has been of particular interest to both sides."
Buckmire also said he knew several volunteers who were supporting Bradford because of his stance on gay marriage.
"I think Steve Bradford has made it clear that he's in favor of equal rights for all people, including marriage for same sex couples," Buckmire said. "I think it is important for a legislative leader, as he intends to be, to lead his community to see that's the right position to take."
