Thomas Henry Braden (September 11, 1874 – after 1941) was an American politician. He served as the fiftieth Mayor of Lowell, Massachusetts.
Born in Mooers, New York, Braden worked as a clerk in the city's office of elections, eventually becoming the Commissioner of Elections. He was elected to a one-year term as mayor of Lowell in 1928, and re-elected to a two-year term in 1929."Mayor of Lowell and Bride Can't Be Found", The Boston Globe (January 17, 1931), p. 2. In 1932, Braden sought the Republican nomination for sheriff of Middlesex County, Massachusetts."Ex-Mayor of Lowell Candidate For Sheriff", The Boston Globe (August 9, 1932), p. 11. and in 1936, was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate from that county,"Senators Elected", The Boston Globe (November 4, 1936), p. 17. defeating Democratic challenger James H. Deignan to succeed the retiring incumbent Democratic senator William F. McCarty."2d Middlesex Upset", The Boston Globe (November 5, 1936), p. 19. In the state senate, Braden championed efforts to limit or prohibit Sunday liquor sales."State Rule on Home Work", The Boston Globe January 16, 1937), p. 12."Sunday Selling Bill Advanced", The North Adams Transcript (May 4, 1937), p. 5. Braden ran for mayor again in 1939, but was defeated by Democrat George D. Ashe."State Elections", The Berkshire County Eagle (November 8, 1939), p. 2. Braden ran for mayor for a last time in 1941, and was again defeated by Ashe, thereafter declaring his retirement from politics."Only Two Mayors Lose", The North Adams Transcript (November 5, 1941), p. 8.
Braden was married in the late 1910s, but his wife died of influenza in 1918, three months after their marriage. He married his second wife, Florence J. Hunter of Lowell, in 1931.
See also 1937–1938 Massachusetts legislature
References