Clarke Thomas Reed (born 1928) is an American businessman and politician from Greenville, Mississippi, who was from 1966 to 1976 the state chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party.

Clarke Thomas Reed, Sr.
Reed in 2010
State Chairman of the
Mississippi Republican Party
In office
1966–1976
Preceded byWirt Yerger
Succeeded byCharles W. Pickering
Personal details
Born1928
Ohio[1]
Reared in Caruthersville
Pemiscot County
Missouri, USA
SpouseJulia B. "Judy" Reed
ChildrenIncluding:
Julia Reed
Clarke T. Reed, Jr.
Crews Reynolds Reed
Residence(s)Greenville
Washington County
Mississippi, USA
Alma materUniversity of Missouri
OccupationBusinessman

Reed was instrumental in the nomination of U.S. President Gerald Ford, at the 1976 Republican National Convention held in Kansas City, Missouri. As recalled by Dick Cheney, who was then chief of staff to the president, Reed "was pissed at Reagan and what he'd done picking (U.S. Sen. Richard) Schweiker" as his vice presidential running mate. Schweiker was a liberal Republican from a state whose delegation could be crucial at the convention. "And in the anger of the moment," Cheney said, Reed "committed to Ford."[2]

Reed was the father of writer Julia Evans Reed.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Reed, Roy (30 July 1976). "Mississippi Republican Leader". The New York Times.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ obituary for Julia reed
Political offices
Preceded by State Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party

Clarke Thomas Reed, Sr.
1966-1976

Succeeded by