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{{Short description|American businessman and politician (1928–2024)}} {{Short description|American businessman and politician (1928–2024)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder {{Infobox officeholder
| name = Clarke Reed | name = Clarke Reed
| image = Clarke Reed 2010 cropped.jpg | image = Clarke Thomas Reed 1948.jpg
| image_size = | image_size =
| caption = Reed in 2010 | caption = Reed in 1948
| office = State Chairman of the<br>] | office = Chairman of the ]
| term_start = 1966 | term_start = 1966
| term_end = 1976 | term_end = 1976
| preceded = ] | preceded = Wirt Yerger
| succeeded = ] | succeeded = ]
| birth_name = Clarke Thomas Reed Sr. | birth_name = Clarke Thomas Reed Sr.
| birth_date = {{birth date|1928|8|4}} | birth_date = {{Birth date|1928|8|4}}
| birth_place = ], U.S.
| birth_place = ], U.S.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/07/30/archives/mississippi-republican-leader-clarke-thomas-reed-man-in-the-news.html|title = Mississippi Republican Leader|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 30 July 1976|last1 = Reed|first1 = Roy}}</ref>
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|12|8|1928|8|4}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|12|8|1928|8|4}}
| death_place = ], U.S. | death_place = ], U.S.
| resting_place = | resting_place =
| occupation = Businessman | occupation = Businessman, politician
| religion = | party = ]
| spouse = {{marriage|Julia Brooks|1957}} | religion =
| spouse = {{Marriage|Julia Brooks|1957}}
| children = 3; including ] | children = 3; including ]
| alma_mater = ] | education = ]
| branch = | branch =
| battles = | battles =
| rank = | rank =
| footnotes = | footnotes =
}} }}


'''Clarke Thomas Reed Sr.''' (August 4, 1928December 8, 2024) was an American businessman and politician. He served as State Chairman of the ] from 1966 to 1976. He was widely credited for strengthening the ] influence and eventual dominance the ].<ref name=nytobit/> '''Clarke Thomas Reed Sr.''' (August{{nbsp}}4, 1928{{snd}}December{{nbsp}}8, 2024) was an American businessman and politician. He served as Chairman of the ] from 1966 to 1976. Prior to his political career, Reed was an agricultural businessman and a graduate in economics.


Reed was widely credited for strengthening the ]'s influence and eventual ] in the ].<ref name=nytobit/> He was also noted for his support of President ] during the ], which played a role in the defeat of then-Governor ]'s candidacy for the ].<ref name=obit/>
==Career==
Reed founded an agricultural equipment company that provided to local farmers.<ref name=nytobit/> He would eventually specialized in devices that deterred birds from farms and airfields.<ref name=nytobit/>


==Early life==
Reed was raised in a ] household, however he cast his first presidential vote, in 1952, for ].<ref name=obit/>
Clarke Thomas Reed was born in ], on August 4, 1928.<ref name=nytobit/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reed |first=Roy |date=July 30, 1976 |title=Mississippi Republican Leader |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/07/30/archives/mississippi-republican-leader-clarke-thomas-reed-man-in-the-news.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> He was raised in ].<ref name=obit/> He graduated with a degree in economics from the ] in 1950, and then spent two years in the ].<ref name=nytobit/> His study of economics was primarily influenced by conservative thinkers such as ], ], ] and ].<ref name=nytobit/>

After college, Reed founded a company that provided agricultural equipment to local farmers.<ref name=nytobit/> He would eventually specialize in devices that kept birds away from farms and airfields.<ref name=nytobit/>

Reed was raised in a ] household, but he cast his first presidential vote, in 1952, for ].<ref name=obit/>


==Chair of the Mississippi Republican Party== ==Chair of the Mississippi Republican Party==
Reed became the state party chairman of the ] in 1966.<ref name=nytobit/> He later became the head of the Southern Republican Chairmen’s Association, making him a vocal figure in the party’s progress across the region.<ref name=nytobit/> He was credited for unifying the ] to vote for ] in ].<ref name=obit/> In doing so, when regarding matters to the South, Nixon would consult with Reed.<ref name=obit/> Reed became the state party chairman of the ] in 1966.<ref name=nytobit/> He later became the head of the Southern Republican Chairmen's Association, making him a vocal figure in the party's progress across the region.<ref name=nytobit/>


Reed was identified with the ], which saw the ] shift politically from Democratic to Republican.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clarke Reed: "Solid South 'over'" |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0508/Clarke_Reed_Solid_south_over.html |access-date=May 12, 2014 |publisher=politico.com}}</ref> He was credited for unifying the ] to vote for ] in ].<ref name=obit/> As a result, during his presidency Nixon would consult with Reed concerning matters of importance to the South.<ref name=obit/>
As state chairman, he focused on local elections.<ref name=nytobit/> In 1969, Mississippi Republicans won nine mayoral races. In 1972, two of the party’s congressional candidates, the future senators ] and ] became the first Mississippi Republicans elected to Congress.<ref name=nytobit/>


As state chairman, he focused on local elections.<ref name=nytobit/> In 1969, Mississippi Republicans won nine mayoral races. In ], two of the party's congressional candidates, the future senators ] and ], became the first Mississippi Republicans elected to Congress since ].<ref name=nytobit/> In an interview with '']'' in 1976, Reed said that he wanted the national ] to be fiscally and socially conservative.
====1976 Republican National Convention====
Reed was instrumental in the nomination of U.S. President ], at the ] held in ].<ref name=nytobit/>


===1976 Republican National Convention===
The-Chief of Staff ] said that Reed was dissatisfied with then-former Governor ] and his running mate pick, U.S. Senator ].<ref name=nytobit/> Schweiker was a liberal Republican from a state whose delegation could be crucial at the convention.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Richard Norton |title=An Ordinary Man: The Surprising Life and Historic Presidency of Gerald R. Ford |publisher=Harper |year=2023 |isbn=978-0-06-268416-5 |location=New York |pages=628–629}}</ref> In doing so, Reed threw his support behind Ford and in doing so, stopped Reagan's momentum at the convention, permitting Ford to win the nomination.<ref name=obit/>
{{Main|1976 Republican National Convention}}


Reed was instrumental in the nomination of U.S. President ] at the ], held in ].<ref name=nytobit/> Then–Chief of Staff ] said that Reed was dissatisfied with then-former Governor ] and his running mate pick, U.S. Senator ].<ref name="nytobit" /> Schweiker was a liberal Republican from a state whose delegation could be crucial at the convention.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Richard Norton |year=2023 |title=An Ordinary Man: The Surprising Life and Historic Presidency of Gerald R. Ford |location=New York |publisher=Harper |isbn=978-0-06-268416-5 |pages=628–629}}</ref> Reed threw his support behind Ford and, in doing so, stopped Reagan's momentum at the convention, permitting Ford to win the nomination.<ref name="obit" />
His decision to endorse Ford over Reagan, drew criticism from hardliners within his party.<ref name=nytobit/> Afterwards, Reed and Reagan made amends, with Reed regretting going against Reagan.<ref name=nytobit/>


Following the convention, he stepped down as party chair.<ref name=nytobit/> His decision to endorse Ford over Reagan drew criticism from hardliners within his party.<ref name="nytobit" /> Following the convention, he stepped down as party chair.<ref name="nytobit" /> Afterwards, Reed and Reagan made amends, with Reed expressing regrets over going against Reagan.<ref name="nytobit" />

==Later career==
]

In his later years, Reed caucused for several Republican politicians.<ref name=obit/> He was noted for hosting political events and fundraisers for local and state politicians at the Doe's Eat Place in ].<ref name=obit/>

Reed was critical of the Republican Party during the ] and of eventual President ].<ref name=obit/> In 2015, he endorsed his first Democratic political candidate, Tom Blanton, for ] of the ].<ref name="dem">{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2015 |title=Republican patriarch Reed endorses Democrat for PSC |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/politicalledger/2015/10/27/republican-patriarch-reed-endorses-democrat-psc/74693944/ |access-date=December 12, 2024 |publisher=Clarion Ledger}}</ref>

], former advisor to President ], noted that "President, senators, congressmen, and governors depended on for counsel and leadership" while also calling him a "political pioneer".<ref name=obit/> He was often called a "patriarch" of the Republican Party.<ref name=dem/>


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
In 1957, Reed married Julia Brooks.<ref name=nytobit/> They had three children: Clarke Jr., Reynolds, and writer ].<ref name=nytobit/> Two of his children predeceased him: Reynolds in 2019 and Julia Evans in 2020.<ref name="o251">{{Cite web |date=August 28, 2020 |title=Julia Reed |url=https://www.ddtonline.com/obituaries/julia-reed |access-date=December 12, 2024 |website=Delta Democrat-Times}}</ref><ref name=nytobit/>
Reed was born in ], on August 4, 1928.<ref>{{cite web |title=Clarke Thomas Reed |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/2238/records/15260353?tid=&pid=&queryId=33384521-4700-4c6b-8efe-7c497f705882&_phsrc=VNY38&_phstart=successSource |publisher=U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947 |access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref> He was raised in ].<ref name=obit/> He graduated with a degree in economics from the ] in 1950, and then spent two years in the ].<ref name=nytobit/> His study of economics were primarily influenced by Conservative thinkers such as ], ], ] and ].<ref name=nytobit/>


In June 2010, Reed was involved in a vehicular crash, which resulted in the death of another man in Greenville.<ref name=crash/> Reed himself was injured and hospitalized in ].<ref name="crash">{{Cite web |date=June 23, 2010 |title=Ex-GOP official hurt, one dead in Greenville crash n GREENVILLE – Former Mississippi Republican Party chairman Clarke Reed has been injured and another man has been killed in a two-vehicle accident in Greenville |url=https://www.djournal.com/news/ex-gop-official-hurt-one-dead-in-greenville-crash-n-greenville---former-mississippi/article_2108517c-d173-5e8f-9ab5-b1b2c0a05bfa.html |access-date=December 12, 2024 |publisher=DJournal}}</ref>
In 1957, Reed married Julia Brooks.<ref name=nytobit/> They had three children, including writer ], who died in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ddtonline.com/front-page-slideshow-obits-news-breaking-news/greenvilles-julia-reed-has-died#sthash.AFgTsed6.dpbs|title=Obituary for Julia Reed|publisher=DDTOnline|accessdate=December 12, 2024}}</ref>


Reed died at his home in ], on December 8, 2024 from complications of pneumonia, at the age of 96.<ref name=obit>{{Cite web |last=Meacham |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Meacham |date=December 9, 2024 |title=Clarke Reed, longtime chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, dies at 96 |url=https://mississippitoday.org/2024/12/09/clarke-reed-longtime-chairman-of-the-mississippi-republican-party-dies-at-96/ |access-date=December 9, 2024 |website=]}}</ref><ref name=nytobit>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/us/politics/clarke-reed-dead.html|title=Clarke Reed, Who Helped the G.O.P. Conquer the South, Dies at 96|publisher=]|date=December 12, 2024|accessdate=December 12, 2024}}</ref> Reed died at his home in Greenville on December{{nbsp}}8, 2024, from complications of ], at the age of 96.<ref name=obit>{{Cite web |last=Meacham |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Meacham |date=December 9, 2024 |title=Clarke Reed, longtime chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, dies at 96 |url=https://mississippitoday.org/2024/12/09/clarke-reed-longtime-chairman-of-the-mississippi-republican-party-dies-at-96/ |access-date=December 9, 2024 |website=]}}</ref><ref name=nytobit>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/us/politics/clarke-reed-dead.html|title=Clarke Reed, Who Helped the G.O.P. Conquer the South, Dies at 96|work=]|date=December 12, 2024|accessdate=December 12, 2024}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}
{{Portal bar|Biography||United States|Mississippi|Politics|Business and Economics|Christianity}}


==External Links== ==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{IMDb name| 9875228}} * {{IMDb name}}

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Latest revision as of 15:15, 18 December 2024

American businessman and politician (1928–2024)

Clarke Reed
Reed in 1948
Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party
In office
1966–1976
Preceded byWirt Yerger
Succeeded byCharles W. Pickering
Personal details
BornClarke Thomas Reed Sr.
(1928-08-04)August 4, 1928
Alliance, Ohio, U.S.
DiedDecember 8, 2024(2024-12-08) (aged 96)
Greenville, Mississippi, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse Julia Brooks ​(m. 1957)
Children3; including Julia Evans
EducationUniversity of Missouri
OccupationBusinessman, politician

Clarke Thomas Reed Sr. (August 4, 1928 – December 8, 2024) was an American businessman and politician. He served as Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party from 1966 to 1976. Prior to his political career, Reed was an agricultural businessman and a graduate in economics.

Reed was widely credited for strengthening the Republican Party's influence and eventual dominance in the Southern United States. He was also noted for his support of President Gerald Ford during the 1976 Republican National Convention, which played a role in the defeat of then-Governor Ronald Reagan's candidacy for the Republican nomination.

Early life

Clarke Thomas Reed was born in Alliance, Ohio, on August 4, 1928. He was raised in Caruthersville, Missouri. He graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Missouri in 1950, and then spent two years in the United States Air Force. His study of economics was primarily influenced by conservative thinkers such as Adam Smith, Edmund Burke, William F. Buckley Jr. and Milton Friedman.

After college, Reed founded a company that provided agricultural equipment to local farmers. He would eventually specialize in devices that kept birds away from farms and airfields.

Reed was raised in a Democratic household, but he cast his first presidential vote, in 1952, for Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Chair of the Mississippi Republican Party

Reed became the state party chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party in 1966. He later became the head of the Southern Republican Chairmen's Association, making him a vocal figure in the party's progress across the region.

Reed was identified with the Southern Strategy, which saw the Solid South shift politically from Democratic to Republican. He was credited for unifying the Southern United States to vote for Richard Nixon in 1968. As a result, during his presidency Nixon would consult with Reed concerning matters of importance to the South.

As state chairman, he focused on local elections. In 1969, Mississippi Republicans won nine mayoral races. In 1972, two of the party's congressional candidates, the future senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott, became the first Mississippi Republicans elected to Congress since Reconstruction. In an interview with The New York Times in 1976, Reed said that he wanted the national Republican Party to be fiscally and socially conservative.

1976 Republican National Convention

Main article: 1976 Republican National Convention

Reed was instrumental in the nomination of U.S. President Gerald Ford at the 1976 Republican National Convention, held in Kansas City, Missouri. Then–Chief of Staff Dick Cheney said that Reed was dissatisfied with then-former Governor Ronald Reagan and his running mate pick, U.S. Senator Richard Schweiker. Schweiker was a liberal Republican from a state whose delegation could be crucial at the convention. Reed threw his support behind Ford and, in doing so, stopped Reagan's momentum at the convention, permitting Ford to win the nomination.

His decision to endorse Ford over Reagan drew criticism from hardliners within his party. Following the convention, he stepped down as party chair. Afterwards, Reed and Reagan made amends, with Reed expressing regrets over going against Reagan.

Later career

Reed in 2010

In his later years, Reed caucused for several Republican politicians. He was noted for hosting political events and fundraisers for local and state politicians at the Doe's Eat Place in Greenville, Mississippi.

Reed was critical of the Republican Party during the 2016 presidential election and of eventual President Donald Trump. In 2015, he endorsed his first Democratic political candidate, Tom Blanton, for Southern District of the Public Service Commission.

Karl Rove, former advisor to President George W. Bush, noted that "President, senators, congressmen, and governors depended on for counsel and leadership" while also calling him a "political pioneer". He was often called a "patriarch" of the Republican Party.

Personal life

In 1957, Reed married Julia Brooks. They had three children: Clarke Jr., Reynolds, and writer Julia Evans Reed. Two of his children predeceased him: Reynolds in 2019 and Julia Evans in 2020.

In June 2010, Reed was involved in a vehicular crash, which resulted in the death of another man in Greenville. Reed himself was injured and hospitalized in Jackson, Mississippi.

Reed died at his home in Greenville on December 8, 2024, from complications of pneumonia, at the age of 96.

References

  1. ^ "Clarke Reed, Who Helped the G.O.P. Conquer the South, Dies at 96". The New York Times. December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  2. ^ Meacham, Jon (December 9, 2024). "Clarke Reed, longtime chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, dies at 96". Mississippi Today. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  3. Reed, Roy (July 30, 1976). "Mississippi Republican Leader". The New York Times.
  4. "Clarke Reed: "Solid South 'over'"". politico.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  5. Smith, Richard Norton (2023). An Ordinary Man: The Surprising Life and Historic Presidency of Gerald R. Ford. New York: Harper. pp. 628–629. ISBN 978-0-06-268416-5.
  6. ^ "Republican patriarch Reed endorses Democrat for PSC". Clarion Ledger. October 27, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  7. "Julia Reed". Delta Democrat-Times. August 28, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  8. ^ "Ex-GOP official hurt, one dead in Greenville crash n GREENVILLE – Former Mississippi Republican Party chairman Clarke Reed has been injured and another man has been killed in a two-vehicle accident in Greenville". DJournal. June 23, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2024.

External links

Political offices
Preceded byWirt Yerger Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party
1966–1976
Succeeded byCharles W. Pickering
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