Jack Reed

Who is Jack Reed?

Jack Raymond Reed, Sr., a businessman from Tupelo, was the 1987 Mississippi Republican gubernatorial nominee. He defeated Doug Lemon in his party primary election. Reed then lost the general election to Democrat Ray Mabus.

At the same time, Reed's 47 percent showing was encouraging to his party, which in 1991 won the governorship for the first time since Reconstruction with the election of businessman Kirk Fordice, who unseated Mabus.

Reed is remembered well across Mississippi, and particularly in his home of Lee County, several books having been written about him. His son, Jack Reed, Jr., is the current mayor of their hometown, Tupelo, Mississippi.