Bill Bradley ’65 Eyes Senate Seat

Bill Bradley ’65, out of a job since retiring from the New York Knicks last winter and long reported to have political ambitions, is thinking seriously about running next year for the U.S. Senate seat, now held by Clifford P. Case (R.-N.J.). Though Bradley has yet to make a formal announcement, last month he authorized members of his campaign committee to file with the appropriate state and national offices, and notified the Federal Election Commission of his plans to start raising funds. Currently an energy coordinator in the administration of New Jersey Governor Brendan T. Byrne ’49, Bradley was active in Byrne’s successful reelection campaign this past fall.

According to James P. Kelly ’76, a Bradley aide, the committee is raising “seed money” to measure how much support his candidacy would receive in the state. Meanwhile, Bradley was in paying calls on New Jersey Democratic leaders for what he describes as “preliminary conversations.” It appears that he will face plenty of competition, for two other candidates—a Republican and a Democrat—have already filled, and several more are reported about to enter the race. Case himself, who is now 73 and would be 80 by the end of another term, has insisted so far that he intends to run again.

This was originally published in the December 5, 1977, issue of PAW.