Attending college at night, Bradford received a Bachelor of Arts from Bridgewater State College in 1974 with a major in history and a minor in behavioral sciences. In 1995 he completed advanced courses in administrative law at the National Judicial College, American Bar Association. In 1996 he completed a seminar in administrative law at the Flaschner Judicial Institute in Boston.
Before becoming a state representative, Bradford served on the Town of Rochester Finance Committee from 1983-1984. After serving eight years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Bradford was appointed Administrative Judge to the Massachusetts Board of Industrial Accidents in August 1992 by former Republican Government. William Weld. He served five years on the Board before retiring in 1997.
After graduating from Middleborough High School in 1958, Bradford joined the United States. Navy in 1959.
Bradford operated his own carpentry business from 1969 to 1984. He contracted to build complete homes from framing to custom built cabinets and interior finish work.
