Robert Bradford (Mississippi)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Robert Bradford

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 7, 2023

Education

Bachelor's

Alcorn State University, 1997

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army Reserve

Personal

Religion

Baptist Christian

Contact

Campaign website

Robert Bradford (Democratic Party) ran for election for Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. He lost in the general election on November 7, 2023.

Bradford completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Robert Bradford graduated from Humphreys County High School in 1991. Bradford served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He earned a B.S. in agronomy from Alcorn State University in 1997. Bradford served as the president of Future Farmers of America.

Elections

2023

See also: Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner election, 2023

General election

General election for Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

Incumbent Andy Gipson defeated Robert Bradford in the general election for Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce on November 7, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Andy Gipson (R)	57.8	467,901
		Robert Bradford (D)	42.2	342,172

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 810,073
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

Robert Bradford defeated Bethany Hill and Terry Rogers II in the Democratic primary for Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce on August 8, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Bradford	51.7	99,748
		Bethany Hill	26.0	50,203
		Terry Rogers II	22.3	42,991

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3	Total votes: 192,942
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Robert Briggs (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

Incumbent Andy Gipson advanced from the Republican primary for Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce on August 8, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Andy Gipson	100.0	351,194

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 351,194
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Bradford in this election.

Campaign themes

2023

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Robert Bradford completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bradford's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Robert "Brad" Bradford Sr. from Natchez, MS a fourth-generation farmer, a 25-year military veteran (Retired Infantry Major), and a certified emergency manager. Born and reared on a family farm in Isola, MS, and graduate of Alcorn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy (Plant and Soil Science). Married 25 years to Mrs. Sharon Bradford with five adult children.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• We will bring new ideas to the agricultural community and invest in our individual farmers by strengthening the pathway in communication, technology, teamwork and infrastructure that ultimately benefits all Mississipians.
• Provide the leadership, a clear vision and fiscal oversight to provide agricultural education from the agency down to empower the farm families for self-sustainability.
• Ensure transparency is equal to all Mississippians when it comes to the safety and welfare of our regular and agricultural communities by working with other key state offices..

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1. Tax reform-We have to adopt and pass legislation to protect and also help our agricultural community that reflects current and future situational assessment through tax incentives or reforms.

2. Grants-We have to make sure Mississippi is in tune with the federal government with grant opportunities by educating and assisting the agricultural community from the beginning to the end of the process.

3. Safety- We have to put in place a comprehensive strategic plan that requires state agencies to work together as a combined unit to protect all Mississippians.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Responsible for the regulation and promotion of all agricultural-related business, protecting consumers and products.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

You must have or show integrity within yourself, empathy, compassion, trust-worthy, and flexible.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Strong leader, visionary, and motivator

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Unbiased, non-political action toward the agricultural sector. Out-of-the-box visionary to empower workers to excel in their duties or responsibilities.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy of being the first African American elected as Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

My most historical moment was jumping out of a perfectly good airplane at Fort Benning, Georgia for the first time, at the age of 21.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a farm hand and tractor operator, for 5 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Holy Bible, because it's the way of life and a guide to eternal salvation.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Buckle up or Bow Down by the Jaga Boys

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Watching the racial divide in this country in the present day

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Positive and influential Leadership within the agency and fairness for all Mississippians, protecting the rich culture of the agricultural way of life, and promoting new ideas that can make the state very unique.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

No

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Should have leadership in personnel management, agricultural business, planning, coordination, and collaborating skills.

Strong crisis management skills

Tell us your favorite joke.

Don't have one

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Bradford's campaign website stated the following:

“	"THE PATH FORWARD.. Brad is running for this position to broaden the perspective of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. He wants to promote all Mississippi farmers, ranchers, growers, and producers, provide consistent leadership, protect consumers, and create opportunities for all Mississippians seeking agricultural opportunities. Agriculture's future and growth will come from deeds and not words alone, for he understands the challenges associated with this way of life. Brad will keep politics out of the agency to maximize responsibilities to serve all Mississippians by rolling up his sleeves, putting on his boots, and keeping his hands on the plow of change. He believes this state has all the resources to be more resilient in agricultural practices which can be achieved with the right visionary and critical thinker. Brad has the skillset, education, integrity, experience, leadership, understanding, compassion, willingness, dedication, and intestinal fortitude to transform the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce into a NextGen workplace and a cornerstone agency. Brad will push for more agricultural infrastructure and increase Mississippi's overall agricultural readiness and commerce to unforeseen numbers. "HAVING A SEAT AT THE TABLE" Finally, all Mississippians should have a seat at the table when it comes to recreation, attractions, policies, regulations, and any agricultural-related provisions. It's imperative that having a voice around the table can change the prediction of the outcome. We live in a state that has been criticized and publicized so many times. Often only certain individuals are allowed at the table of change and the rest end up on the agenda. We need a Commissioner of Agriculture that have the heart, humility, compassion, understanding, and vision to change traditions into additions. A true and unparalleled leader that has devoted his life to serving, protecting, and helping all in need. If having a seat at the table is important to you, help us in electing Brad in the upcoming Democratic primary and general election. Brad will get your chair to the table. We are asking and accepting contributions for this cause, just click on the donation tab at the top of the page. May God bless you and all your endeavors, thanks from the Committee to elect Robert "Brad" Bradford Sr.	”
—Robert Bradford's campaign website (2023)

See also

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Candidate

Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

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