Photos courtesy of Eric Bradley’s Facebook page. 

In light of the sudden passing of longtime Democratic activist and Long Beach resident Eric Bradley, the Long Beach City Council will adjourn tonight’s city council meeting in Bradley’s memory.

Friends and leaders poured their thoughts on the Pasadena-born, San Gabriel Valley-raised man’s Facebook page after learning of his sudden loss, which occurred Sunday, according to friends.

“Eric Bradley passed away doing what he loved — organizing for candidates and causes he cared passionately about,” wrote Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon on Facebook on Sunday. “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.”

The mayor called Bradley a go-to guy for democratic politics in the city.

“Eric built the modern Long Beach Democratic Party – he was a leader, activist, and will be greatly missed,” wrote Garcia in a tweet. “He was a statewide leader, a local activist, and a friend and mentor to many,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Bradley’s experiences ranged from working as an aide to Senator Alan Cranston in the 1980s, serving as CDP regional director for South Los Angeles County Region 17 from 2001 to 2005 and working as CDP Controller from 2005 to 2009, according to his profile for the Democratic National Committee, for which he was running for a county seat. He worked on the State Senate campaign for now-Congressman Alan Lowenthal, the State Assembly campaign for Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal and State Senate campaign for Ted Lieu, in addition to the 2008 Obama campaign.

He was working for the fundraising firm GSI at the time of his death, which raised funds for political organizations such as Emily’s List and for democratic candidates across the country.

State Senator Ricardo Lara remembered Bradley as a standout community activist.

“Like everyone else, I was shocked to hear of the passing of Eric Bradley, a staunch leader and Democratic activist whose work touched the lives of so many in our community,” said Lara. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell called the loss of Bradley “tragic,” and noted the Assembly adjourned in Bradley’s memory on Monday. 

“Eric Bradley was a man of great integrity who fought every day on behalf of the causes and people he believed in,” said O’Donnell. “As one of the most revered community leaders in Long Beach, he was instrumental in the election of nearly every local elected official including myself. Eric will forever be remembered as a forceful presence in Democratic Party politics and I am lucky to have been able to call him a friend. My thoughts are with his wife and their greatest gift to this world, their son, as we all mourn this tragic loss.”

Councilmember Rex Richardson spoke about his personal friendship with Bradley and shared photos taken with him.

“Just getting home. I couldn’t go to bed without acknowledging and saluting someone that I have tremendous respect for, Eric Bradley,” wrote Richardson on Sunday. “[…]You are a legend, we will miss you, and we will never forget you.”

Bradley at Richardson’s wedding. Photo courtesy of Councilmember Rex Richardson’s Facebook page. 

This report was updated on 05/18/2016, correcting quote attributions to State Senator Ricardo Lara and Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell.