Ben Bradford
Former State Government Reporter

Ben Bradford is a city mutt, who has lived in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., the Bay Area and most recently Charlotte, North Carolina.
Before entering journalism, he did stints as a bartender, actor, undersized bouncer, stuntman, viral marketer and press secretary to a Member of Congress.
Deciding he would rather explain and examine the political system than serve it, Ben entered the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism to be a newspaperman and quickly found himself in public radio.
He sold his second-ever radio story to WNYC, and his third to NPR.
For WFAE in Charlotte, he covered the arrest and resignation of mayor Patrick Cannon for public corruption, the removal of the confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse, the Duke Energy coal ash spill, and how cities find sister cities (it’s a lot like dating).
He won the 2014 national Edward R. Murrow award for hard news reporting.
As the State Government Reporter, Ben covered California politics, policy and the interaction between the two.
Police Deadly Force Law Advances In California Legislature
June 20, 2018
A proposal to tighten the standards for when police can use deadly force has moved forward in the California state Senate.
California Lawmakers Approve New Online Community College, Expanded Tax Breaks
June 19, 2018
California lawmakers passed several "budget trailer bills" on Monday, including one authorizing a new, online community college.
‘Water Tax’ Debate Continues After California Budget Passage
June 18, 2018
The state’s next budget does not include a new charge on water users to fund safe drinking water in rural communities, but that proposal is still alive.
Study: California's Proposition 47 Reduced Incarceration, Not Crime
June 12, 2018
A new study of the 2014 initiative finds it reduced incarceration without increasing crime — mostly.
This Tax Increase Could Be A Major Issue In California’s General Election
June 12, 2018
But are California political campaigns drawing the wrong lessons about the gas tax’s ability to turn out voters?
California Democrats Appear Poised To Pick-Up An Assembly Seat
June 6, 2018
It seems Republicans have been locked out of a northern San Diego County state Assembly seat.
California Primary Election Could Determine Democrats’ Chances To Win The House Of Representatives
June 4, 2018
Tuesday’s primary vote holds an unusual importance for the nation.
Republicans No Longer Second-Largest Voter Group In California
June 1, 2018
The GOP has fallen behind No Party Preference in voter registration numbers.
Measure By Measure: A Roundup Of The Five Propositions On California’s June Ballot
May 30, 2018
Need to do your homework on the five statewide measures on California’s June primary ballot? We’ve got you covered. The CapRadio team takes a look at Propositions 68, 69, 70, 71 and 72.
California Campaign Finance Regulator Resigns Before Election
May 30, 2018
Fair Political Practices Commission chairperson Jodi Remke announced Tuesday that she will step down on Friday. It follows months of acrimony with other commissioners.