MEET JOHN BRADLEY
John Bradley is a lifelong Memphian, born and raised in the historic neighborhood of Orange Mound. He has built a career rooted in service, leadership, and advocacy for the communities that raised him. Currently serving in the Shelby County Mayor’s Office, John works every day to connect residents with the resources they need and ensure their voices are heard across county government.
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Through his years of service in local government, John has gained firsthand experience with both the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. He has managed county wide initiatives, organized public facing events, and worked directly with residents to deliver solutions. These experiences have strengthened his belief that government works best when it listens to the people it serves.​
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Before entering local government, John worked on numerous political campaigns across Tennessee and across the country. From helping elect local leaders to organizing for national change, his work has always been grounded in equity, access, and opportunity.
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Now, he is running for Shelby County Commission District 10 to bring new energy, proven experience, and community rooted leadership to the neighborhoods he has always called home, including Orange Mound, Alcy Ball, Cherokee, Glenview, and more.
I did not grow up thinking I would run for office. But I did grow up believing in something bigger than myself: community. My journey started when I landed my first internship, which took me to MLK50, the 50th anniversary commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Standing in that crowd, I felt something powerful, grief, hope, and a hunger for justice all at once. People were crying. People were marching. And in that moment, I felt something I could not ignore, a calling.​
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That same day, I met Karl Dean, who was running for governor. That conversation opened a door. I started volunteering, then interning. I realized how powerful community organizing and civic engagement could be, and how much change was possible when people came together and used their voices.
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Growing up in Orange Mound, I saw firsthand how easy it could be to get pulled into the wrong things. But instead of going down that path, I made a choice to use my time and energy to lift others up, not just myself. I devoted myself to service, to organizing, and to being part of the solution.
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​Today, I serve because I have seen the impact of committed leadership. I’ve seen how policy shapes opportunities. I have seen what happens when people feel ignored, and what can happen when they are empowered.
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I serve because this is not just where I live. It is where I am from. It is who I am. And I am ready to fight for the future District 10 deserves.