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Created page with "{{Infobox officeholder |name=Clifford Allen Bradley, Jr. |image=Allen Bradley of LA.jpg |office=Louisiana State Representative for<br> District 31 (Beauregard and Vernon..."
{{Infobox officeholder
|name=Clifford Allen Bradley, Jr.
|image=Allen Bradley of LA.jpg
|office=[[Louisiana]] State Representative for<br> District 31 (Beauregard and Vernon parishes)
|term_start=1984
|term_end=1992
|preceded=Eldridge L. Morris
|succeeded2=D. Dwayne Cooley
|birth_date=October 5, 1952
|birth_place=DeRidder, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana<br>
|death_date=
|death_place=
|resting_place=
|spouse=Catherine Theresa Gregorio "Cathy" Bradley
|children=Brent Allen Bradley<br>
Brian Allen Bradley<br>
Erin Elizabeth Bradley
|party= [[Democratic Party|Democrat]]-turned-[[Republican Party|Republican]]
|occupation=[[Attorney]]; [[Business]]man
|residence=DeRidder, Louisiana
|alma_mater=Southeastern Louisiana University<br>
[[Louisiana State University]] Law Center
|religion=[[Southern Baptist]] }}
''Clifford Allen Bradley, Jr.''', known as '''Allen Bradley''' (born October 5, 1952),<ref name=mylife>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/clifford-bradley/e69301910118|title Clifford Bradley (Allen)|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=December 9, 2020}}</ref> is an [[attorney]] and [[business]]man in his native DeRidder, [[Louisiana]], who from 1984 to 1992 was the state representative for District 31 (Beauregard and Vernon parishes) in the western portion of his state. His legislative service was as a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives: Beauregard and Vernon parishes|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=December 9, 2020}}</ref> but in 2015, the office of the Louisiana Secretary of State indicated that he is a registered [[Republican Party|Republican]].
==Background==
Bradley is the son of Clifford Bradley, Sr., of DeRidder and the former Clotilde Hooks (1923-2012), a daughter of the late Ruth Holly and Dayton Hooks of [[rural]] Emerson in Columbia County, in south [[Arkansas]]. His mother, who was active in the First [[Southern Baptist|Baptist Church]] of DeRidder, is interred at Beauregard Cemetery. Bradley has three sisters, Julia Anderson and husband Ken of Westlake in Calcasieu Parish; Mary Ruth Corley and husband Roy of [[Austin]], [[Texas]], and Patrice Cason and husband Joe of DeRidder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.labbymemorial.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=1703254&fh_id=10166|title=Mrs. Clotilde Hooks Bradley (1923-2012)|publisher=labbymemorial.com|date=October 5, 2012|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref> His only brother, Robert Allen Bradley, was born and died on January 23, 1942.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Bradley&GSfn=Robert&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=7019434&df=all&|title=Robert A. Bradley|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=December 9, 2020}}</ref>
Bradley graduated in 1973 from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond and in 1976 from the [[Louisiana State University]] Law Center in [[Baton Rouge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amitetoday.com/insurance-exec-southeastern-grad-allen-bradley-jr-address-graduates-dec-8|title=Insurance exec, Southeastern grad Allen Bradley Jr. to address graduates Dec. 8|publisher=''Amite Today''|date=November 26, 2012|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref>
Bradley is married to the former Catherine Theresa "Cathy" Gregorio, originally from [[Bossier City]], the daughter of a [[Roman Catholicc]] couple, the late Agnes Sardisco Gregorio and Sam Anthony Gregorio (1924-2014), a native of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]] and the owner for forty years of Airline Food Market. He was a member and president of the Bossier Parish Police Jury, the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation, and the Bossier Optimist Club. He was a charter member of St. Jude Catholic Church and was active in the [[Knights of Columbus]] and the Immaculate Conception Society. He was a [[United States Army]] veteran of [[World War II]].<ref name=samg>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?pid=172188161#sthash.frrzv3zO.dpuf|title=Sam Anthony Gregorio|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=August 21, 2014|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref>
The Bradleys have two sons, Brent Allen Bradley and Brian Allen Bradley, and a daughter, Erin Elizabeth Bradley.<ref name=samg/>
<ref name=whoswho>"Louisiana: Bradley, Allen", ''Who's Who in American Politics, 2003-2004'', 19th ed., Vol. 1 (Alabama-Montana) (Marquis Who's Who: New Providence, , [[New Jersey]], 2003), p. 770.</ref>
==Career==
Bradley practiced law in DeRidder, served on the city council from 1978 to 1981 and was chairman of his local hospital board of directors.<ref name=amerisafe/> He is Southern Baptist and has been affiliated with the [[Red Cross]], the [[Chamber of Commerce]], the Masonic lodge, and Lions International.<ref name=whoswho/>
He won the first of his two legislative terms in the nonpartisan blanket [[primary]] held on October 22, 1983, when he unseated fellow Democrat Eldridge L. Morris, also of DeRidder, 4,518 votes (54.2 percent) to 3,816 (45.8 percent). In that same election Democrat [[Edwin Edwards]] reclaimed the [[Governor|governorship]] from Republican [[David C. Treen]].<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 1983.</ref> He was unopposed in his reelection bid in 1987.
Bradley served on the House Education and Agriculture committees and was in his second term the chairman of the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure. He was also a member of the Louisiana Bond Commission.<ref name=amerisafe/>
In 1991, rather than seeking a third term in the House, Bradley ran unsuccessfully for the District 30 seat in the state Senate (Beauregard, Calcasieu, Sabine, and Vernon parishes) against his fellow state representative, Democrat and later Republican [[James David Cain]] of Dry Creekin Beauregard Parish. Cain received 17,527 votes (55.7 percent) to Bradley's 13,947 (44.3 percent).<ref>{Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 19, 1991.</ref> The seat opened with the retirement of Senator [[Bryan A. Poston]] of Hornbeck in Vernon Parish.
Reflecting on his legislative years, Bradley said that his education on:
<blockquote>
how [[government]] really works [came] during those two [legislative] terms. I had the opportunity to work with some remarkable leaders and the very competent legislative staff. I think I was most surprised ... to find that [[lobbying]] firms provide needed research and background on proposed legislation. I had started my career in the legislature with a somewhat negative view of that profession. ...<br>
Over the years watching the legislative process, I have come to the conclusion that legislation is often presented as a “silver bullet” that will solve a major issue. Of course, that does not work. There are other states that have addressed [issues from which we can learn] ...<br>
It strikes me now, looking back on it, that the legislative process was much more congenial and collegial than it is today. There was not much Republican versus Democrat infighting and [[partisanship]], it was really about issues at the time that I served. It seems that there was a more cooperative spirit at that time, but I will say that since I’m no longer closely involved in it, that perceived difference may be as much in the representation of today’s politics as in the actuality. ...<br>
Most people have no idea how hard their legislators work during the legislative session. ... Legislators generally reflect the collective personalities of their districts. Serving in Baton Rouge gives one a keen appreciation of the cultural diversity in our state. Understanding that diversity helps one understand the perspective of a given geographical area ...<ref name=amerisafe>{{cite web|url=http://compblog.com/allen-bradley-outgoing-amerisafe-ceo-reflects-on-industry-and-legacy/|title=Allen Bradley, Outgoing AMERISAFE CEP Reflects on Industry and Legacy|publisher=AMERISAFE|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref></blockquote>
Bradley said that party labels in Louisiana "quite frankly, ... don't make as much sense as they do in other places. Most Democrats in Louisiana would qualify for Republicans almost anywhere else."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/02/william-dore-rick-santorum-mystery-donor|title=[[Rick Santorum]]'s Mystery Donor: Louisiana businessman William Doré gave $1 million to Rick Santorum’s super-PAC. Just don't ask him why|publisher='Mother Jones''|date=February 28, 2012|author=Tim Murphy|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref>
Immediately after leaving the legislature, he resided in Metairie in [[suburb]]an Jefferson Parish for two years.<ref name=whoswho/> From 1994 until his retirement in April 2015, Bradley was affiliated with the firm AMERISAFE, a company involved in workers' compensation [[insurance]] and based in DeRidder. He began as the executive vice president of the company and was named chief operating officer in 2003.<ref name=amerisafe/>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bradley, Allen}}
[[Category:Louisiana People]]
[[Category:Attorneys]]
[[Category:Business People]]
[[Category:Former Democrats]]
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:Southern Baptists]]
|name=Clifford Allen Bradley, Jr.
|image=Allen Bradley of LA.jpg
|office=[[Louisiana]] State Representative for<br> District 31 (Beauregard and Vernon parishes)
|term_start=1984
|term_end=1992
|preceded=Eldridge L. Morris
|succeeded2=D. Dwayne Cooley
|birth_date=October 5, 1952
|birth_place=DeRidder, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana<br>
|death_date=
|death_place=
|resting_place=
|spouse=Catherine Theresa Gregorio "Cathy" Bradley
|children=Brent Allen Bradley<br>
Brian Allen Bradley<br>
Erin Elizabeth Bradley
|party= [[Democratic Party|Democrat]]-turned-[[Republican Party|Republican]]
|occupation=[[Attorney]]; [[Business]]man
|residence=DeRidder, Louisiana
|alma_mater=Southeastern Louisiana University<br>
[[Louisiana State University]] Law Center
|religion=[[Southern Baptist]] }}
''Clifford Allen Bradley, Jr.''', known as '''Allen Bradley''' (born October 5, 1952),<ref name=mylife>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/clifford-bradley/e69301910118|title Clifford Bradley (Allen)|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=December 9, 2020}}</ref> is an [[attorney]] and [[business]]man in his native DeRidder, [[Louisiana]], who from 1984 to 1992 was the state representative for District 31 (Beauregard and Vernon parishes) in the western portion of his state. His legislative service was as a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives: Beauregard and Vernon parishes|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=December 9, 2020}}</ref> but in 2015, the office of the Louisiana Secretary of State indicated that he is a registered [[Republican Party|Republican]].
==Background==
Bradley is the son of Clifford Bradley, Sr., of DeRidder and the former Clotilde Hooks (1923-2012), a daughter of the late Ruth Holly and Dayton Hooks of [[rural]] Emerson in Columbia County, in south [[Arkansas]]. His mother, who was active in the First [[Southern Baptist|Baptist Church]] of DeRidder, is interred at Beauregard Cemetery. Bradley has three sisters, Julia Anderson and husband Ken of Westlake in Calcasieu Parish; Mary Ruth Corley and husband Roy of [[Austin]], [[Texas]], and Patrice Cason and husband Joe of DeRidder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.labbymemorial.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=1703254&fh_id=10166|title=Mrs. Clotilde Hooks Bradley (1923-2012)|publisher=labbymemorial.com|date=October 5, 2012|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref> His only brother, Robert Allen Bradley, was born and died on January 23, 1942.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Bradley&GSfn=Robert&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=20&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=7019434&df=all&|title=Robert A. Bradley|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=December 9, 2020}}</ref>
Bradley graduated in 1973 from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond and in 1976 from the [[Louisiana State University]] Law Center in [[Baton Rouge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amitetoday.com/insurance-exec-southeastern-grad-allen-bradley-jr-address-graduates-dec-8|title=Insurance exec, Southeastern grad Allen Bradley Jr. to address graduates Dec. 8|publisher=''Amite Today''|date=November 26, 2012|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref>
Bradley is married to the former Catherine Theresa "Cathy" Gregorio, originally from [[Bossier City]], the daughter of a [[Roman Catholicc]] couple, the late Agnes Sardisco Gregorio and Sam Anthony Gregorio (1924-2014), a native of [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]] and the owner for forty years of Airline Food Market. He was a member and president of the Bossier Parish Police Jury, the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation, and the Bossier Optimist Club. He was a charter member of St. Jude Catholic Church and was active in the [[Knights of Columbus]] and the Immaculate Conception Society. He was a [[United States Army]] veteran of [[World War II]].<ref name=samg>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?pid=172188161#sthash.frrzv3zO.dpuf|title=Sam Anthony Gregorio|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=August 21, 2014|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref>
The Bradleys have two sons, Brent Allen Bradley and Brian Allen Bradley, and a daughter, Erin Elizabeth Bradley.<ref name=samg/>
<ref name=whoswho>"Louisiana: Bradley, Allen", ''Who's Who in American Politics, 2003-2004'', 19th ed., Vol. 1 (Alabama-Montana) (Marquis Who's Who: New Providence, , [[New Jersey]], 2003), p. 770.</ref>
==Career==
Bradley practiced law in DeRidder, served on the city council from 1978 to 1981 and was chairman of his local hospital board of directors.<ref name=amerisafe/> He is Southern Baptist and has been affiliated with the [[Red Cross]], the [[Chamber of Commerce]], the Masonic lodge, and Lions International.<ref name=whoswho/>
He won the first of his two legislative terms in the nonpartisan blanket [[primary]] held on October 22, 1983, when he unseated fellow Democrat Eldridge L. Morris, also of DeRidder, 4,518 votes (54.2 percent) to 3,816 (45.8 percent). In that same election Democrat [[Edwin Edwards]] reclaimed the [[Governor|governorship]] from Republican [[David C. Treen]].<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 1983.</ref> He was unopposed in his reelection bid in 1987.
Bradley served on the House Education and Agriculture committees and was in his second term the chairman of the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure. He was also a member of the Louisiana Bond Commission.<ref name=amerisafe/>
In 1991, rather than seeking a third term in the House, Bradley ran unsuccessfully for the District 30 seat in the state Senate (Beauregard, Calcasieu, Sabine, and Vernon parishes) against his fellow state representative, Democrat and later Republican [[James David Cain]] of Dry Creekin Beauregard Parish. Cain received 17,527 votes (55.7 percent) to Bradley's 13,947 (44.3 percent).<ref>{Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 19, 1991.</ref> The seat opened with the retirement of Senator [[Bryan A. Poston]] of Hornbeck in Vernon Parish.
Reflecting on his legislative years, Bradley said that his education on:
<blockquote>
how [[government]] really works [came] during those two [legislative] terms. I had the opportunity to work with some remarkable leaders and the very competent legislative staff. I think I was most surprised ... to find that [[lobbying]] firms provide needed research and background on proposed legislation. I had started my career in the legislature with a somewhat negative view of that profession. ...<br>
Over the years watching the legislative process, I have come to the conclusion that legislation is often presented as a “silver bullet” that will solve a major issue. Of course, that does not work. There are other states that have addressed [issues from which we can learn] ...<br>
It strikes me now, looking back on it, that the legislative process was much more congenial and collegial than it is today. There was not much Republican versus Democrat infighting and [[partisanship]], it was really about issues at the time that I served. It seems that there was a more cooperative spirit at that time, but I will say that since I’m no longer closely involved in it, that perceived difference may be as much in the representation of today’s politics as in the actuality. ...<br>
Most people have no idea how hard their legislators work during the legislative session. ... Legislators generally reflect the collective personalities of their districts. Serving in Baton Rouge gives one a keen appreciation of the cultural diversity in our state. Understanding that diversity helps one understand the perspective of a given geographical area ...<ref name=amerisafe>{{cite web|url=http://compblog.com/allen-bradley-outgoing-amerisafe-ceo-reflects-on-industry-and-legacy/|title=Allen Bradley, Outgoing AMERISAFE CEP Reflects on Industry and Legacy|publisher=AMERISAFE|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref></blockquote>
Bradley said that party labels in Louisiana "quite frankly, ... don't make as much sense as they do in other places. Most Democrats in Louisiana would qualify for Republicans almost anywhere else."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/02/william-dore-rick-santorum-mystery-donor|title=[[Rick Santorum]]'s Mystery Donor: Louisiana businessman William Doré gave $1 million to Rick Santorum’s super-PAC. Just don't ask him why|publisher='Mother Jones''|date=February 28, 2012|author=Tim Murphy|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref>
Immediately after leaving the legislature, he resided in Metairie in [[suburb]]an Jefferson Parish for two years.<ref name=whoswho/> From 1994 until his retirement in April 2015, Bradley was affiliated with the firm AMERISAFE, a company involved in workers' compensation [[insurance]] and based in DeRidder. He began as the executive vice president of the company and was named chief operating officer in 2003.<ref name=amerisafe/>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bradley, Allen}}
[[Category:Louisiana People]]
[[Category:Attorneys]]
[[Category:Business People]]
[[Category:Former Democrats]]
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:Southern Baptists]]