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| 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 1972, two of the party’s congressional candidates, the future senators ] and ] became the first Mississippi Republicans elected to Congress.<ref name=nytobit/> | ||
| ===1976 Republican National Convention=== | |||
| Reed was instrumental in the nomination of U.S. President ], at the ] held in ].<ref name=nytobit/> | Reed was instrumental in the nomination of U.S. President ], at the ] held in ].<ref name=nytobit/> | ||
Revision as of 23:27, 12 December 2024
American businessman and politician (1928–2024)
| Clarke Reed | |
|---|---|
 Reed in 2010 | |
| State Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party | |
| In office 1966–1976 | |
| Preceded by | Wirt Yerger |
| Succeeded by | Charles W. Pickering |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Clarke Thomas Reed Sr. (1928-08-04)August 4, 1928 Alliance, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | December 8, 2024(2024-12-08) (aged 96) Greenville, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Julia Brooks (m. 1957) |
| Children | 3; including Julia Evans |
| Alma mater | University of Missouri |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Clarke Thomas Reed Sr. (August 4, 1928 – December 8, 2024) was an American businessman and politician. He served as State Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party from 1966 to 1976. He was widely credited for strengthening the Republican Party's influence and eventual dominance the Southern United States.
Career
Reed founded an agricultural equipment company that provided to local farmers. He would eventually specialized in devices that deterred birds from farms and airfields.
Reed was raised in a Democratic household, however 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. He was credited for unifying the Southern United States to vote for Richard Nixon in 1968. In doing so, when regarding matters to the South, Nixon would consult with Reed.
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.
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.
The-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. 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.
His decision to endorse Ford over Reagan, drew criticism from hardliners within his party. Afterwards, Reed and Reagan made amends, with Reed regretting going against Reagan.
Following the convention, he stepped down as party chair.
Personal life
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 were primarily influenced by Conservative thinkers such as Adam Smith, Edmund Burke, William F. Buckley Jr. and Milton Friedman.
In 1957, Reed married Julia Brooks. They had three children, including writer Julia Evans Reed, who died in 2020.
Reed died at his home in Greenville, Mississippi, on December 8, 2024 from complications of pneumonia, at the age of 96.
References
- Reed, Roy (July 30, 1976). "Mississippi Republican Leader". The New York Times.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Meacham, Jon (December 9, 2024). "Clarke Reed, longtime chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, dies at 96". Mississippi Today. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- 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.
- "Clarke Thomas Reed". U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- "Obituary for Julia Reed". DDTOnline. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
External Links
- Clarke Reed at IMDb
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byWirt Yerger | State Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party 1966–1976 |
Succeeded byCharles W. Pickering |