Bruce Franks Jr.

Bruce Franks Jr
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 78th district
In office
2016 – Present
Preceded by Penny Hubbard
Personal details
Born Saint Louis, Missouri, US
Political party Democratic
Occupation Politician, Activist
Website

Bruce Franks Jr. is an American politician and community activist. He currently serves in the Missouri House of Representatives representing the 78th District and serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Police/Community Relations.[1]

Early life, education and career

Franks attended Lindbergh Public School in Saint Louis, Missouri as part of a voluntary desegregation program. Franks performed as a rapper under the name of Ooops!. In 2004, Franks was struck by a stray bullet in his knee. Franks was a notable member of the Saint Louis branch of the civil rights movement Black Lives Matter and was involved in numerous protests against police brutality, racism, and inequality. In March 2015, Franks started the organization 28 to Life, an urban employment charity that helped match black youths with jobs.[2][3]

2016 State Election for the 78th District

In a highly publicized legal dispute, Franks contested the results of the August 2nd Democratic primary, in which Democratic candidate Penny Hubbard was victorious. Franks argued before a judge that there were irregularities in the casting of absentee ballots. Circuit Judge Rex Burlison agreed with Franks and ordered a second election, of which Franks was victorious.[4]

Missouri Legislature

Franks works in St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), a teen mentoring program for underprivileged youths.

Franks was among seven arrested during a November 24, 2017 Black Friday protest at The Saint Louis Galleria. The protest was part of a 2017 economic boycott of Saint Louis businesses as a reaction to the acquittal of Jason Stockley.[5] BET Network listed Representative Franks as one of the "Great 28" a list of civil rights activists who are described as "Shaking up the world and the way we see things. Redefining what’s possible. Forging their own path rather than conforming to the system." [6]

Political Positions

Abortion and Reproductive Rights

NARAL Missouri gives Representative Franks a ranking of 89% on their 2017 legislative scorecard.[7]

Personal life

Franks is married,has five children, and two stepsons. Franks has 33 different tattoos, most notably tear tattoos under both of his eyes.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Representative Bruce Franks Jr". house.mo.gov. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  2. ↑ Moore, Doug. "From Ferguson protester to state legislator, Bruce Franks Jr. says he will never stop fighting". stltoday.com. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  3. ↑ Phillips, Nicholas. "To Save Black Lives, Protester Bruce Franks Will Do the Unthinkable: Work with Cops". Riverfront Times.
  4. ↑ Moore, Doug; Deere, Stephen. "Franks wins big in re-do election for 78th District state representative seat". stltoday.com. Saint Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  5. ↑ Cohen, Denise Hollinshed, Robert. "Black Friday protests at the St. Louis Galleria lead to 7 arrests". stltoday.com.
  6. ↑ "The Disruptors". BET.com. Black Entertainment Network. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  7. ↑ "97238_Scorecard 2017.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 2018-03-09.
  8. ↑ Moore, Doug. "From Ferguson protester to state legislator, Bruce Franks Jr. says he will never stop fighting". stltoday.com. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
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