Marquita Bradshaw (born January 19, 1974) is an American environmentalist, activist, and political candidate. She was the Democratic nominee in the 2020 United States Senate election in Tennessee, the first African American woman to win a major political party nomination in any statewide race in Tennessee. Marquita is native to Tennessee. She is a Memphian who has extensive experience in the environmental justice movement. Marquita grew up in South Memphis and is an alumna of university of Memphis. As a single working-class mother, she raised her son in Tennessee. She unsuccessfully ran in the 2024 Senate election, losing the Democratic primary to Gloria Johnson.
Bradshaw was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. During her childhood, her family was active in raising awareness of pollution leaking from the Memphis Defense Depot, a contaminated military base in a largely African American neighborhood of Memphis that became a Superfund site in 1992. She earned a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in journalism and communication studies from the University of Memphis. She is the environmental justice committee chair of the Sierra Club's Tennessee chapter.
Strong advocate for environmental protections, especially for communities of color
Bradshaw told the Tri-State Defender that "we are leading with environmental justice principles." She told other reporters from WPLN News that "People of color, black people, brown people, indigenous people and poor white people are not experiencing the same set of laws as everybody else when it comes to the environment."
Voting History: Not applicable - has not held federal office
Supports Medicare for All and affordable healthcare access
She describes her platform as ensuring "everyone has access, not only a location but affordability when it comes to health care."
Voting History: Not applicable
Focused on working families and equitable economy
The University of Memphis graduate campaigned largely on the need for greater access to health care and equity in the economy and education.
Voting History: Not applicable
Bradshaw has not held federal office and therefore has no congressional voting record.
Grassroots, community-focused messaging emphasizing lived experience and environmental activism.
Bradshaw represents Socialist policies and is out of step with Tennessee values
Hagerty's 2020 campaign spokesman stated: "Tennesseans sent a strong, clear message on primary night earlier this month – this is a conservative state. They do not want the Socialist policies of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders such as free health care for illegal immigrants, open borders, sanctuary cities and the Green New Deal."