Eric Bradley, well-known Long Beach Democratic activist, dies suddenly on Sunday

Condolences are pouring in this moing for Eric Bradley, a well-known Democratic activist in Long Beach who died suddenly Sunday, friends said. He was in his early 50s.

“Eric Bradley passed away doing what he loved — organizing for candidates and causes he cared passionately about,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, said on Facebook. “He will be dearly missed, but his memory will live on through the tens of thousands who counted on him as a mentor, colleague and dear friend.”

A cause of death was not immediately known.

Congressman Alan Lowenthal is among the many elected officials who were assisted by Bradley in their campaigns.

“He was a dear friend who helped me in so many ways over the years, just as he helped so many others,” said Lowenthal in a statement. “He gave of himself to everyone he met, whether it be insight, advice, knowledge, or just simple kindness. And behind all his hard work, behind all his efforts, there was a genuine passion for making life better for others. Just like anyone who crossed his all too brief time with us, I am better for having known him. I will miss my friend.”

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said Bradley was “The Guy” when it came to the Democratic Party in Long Beach. “There isn’t a Democratic elected official in Long Beach who Eric didn’t help get into office. Everyone is stued right now, but also very appreciative of the work he did. He was a very kind, very amazing man. He built the mode Long Beach Democratic Party.”

Bradley’s longtime friend Uduak-Joe Ntuk said Bradley had been plaing to host a meeting of Democrats at his home at 3 p.m. Sunday.

“‘Built’ is a good word for what he did,” said Ntuk in an interview. “It’s a good action word for Eric. He was very involved. He worked very hard behind the scenes. He was an unsung hero who definitely had a long commitment to social justice and to getting people elected who could help those who need it the most.”

Ntuk said that “He worked for the causes and people he believed in until the very end,” he said.

Vivian Malauulu, elected in April to the Long Beach City College Board of Trustees, said on Facebook she had only known Bradley for about a year, but that his support was “instrumental” to her campaign. She described him as one of the most respected and revered community leaders in Long Beach throughout Los Angeles County. Bradley was currently ruing for a seat on the Democratic National Committee, saying he would “forcefully” represent all Califoia Democrats on the committee and make sure the DNC knows and responds to the needs of Califoia. The election is in mid-June.

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According to his profile, Bradley served as an aide to Sen. Alan Cranston in the 1980s, and played key roles in the elections of Lowenthal, former Assemblywoman Boie Lowenthal and State Sen. Ted Lieu. He previously served as Califoia Democratic Party regional director for South Los Angeles County Region 17, and from 2005 to 2009 was controller for the party.

He currently served as co-chair of the party’s finance committee, and worked with a firm called GSI that raises funds for national and local Democratic candidates and causes.

Bradley, a native of Arcadia, studied political science at UC Santa Barbara, according to his Facebook profile. He was married to Gail Bradley, and had a son, Anders Bradley.

No information on services was available.