Clyde Short

Short was born in Rochester, Indiana^[1] in 1883. He grew up in Concordia, Kansas, where, as a youth, he became known for his public speaking skill.^[2] Upon graduation, he read law in the offices of Pulsiver and Alexander, passed the bar in 1916,^[3] and was eventually elected Concordia City Attorney.^[4] He was a Democratic candidate for the U. S. House of Representatives for Kansas, in 1930, against incumbent James G. Strong,^[5] who narrowly defeated Short in a close race.^[6] He ran again in 1932, and was defeated in the Democratic primary by Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy, who would go on to become the first female U. S. Representative from Kansas.^[7] Despite these setbacks, he remained active in the Democratic party, and was elected Party Chairman in 1934,^[8][9] directing the effort to unseat incumbent Governor Alf Landon.^[10] Although Landon won re-election, Short presided over two first-time Democratic victories in Kansas, the offices of State Auditor and State Superintendent of Public Instruction.^[7]

Short died in 1936, of pneumonia.^[7] His brother was American baseball player Harry Short.^[3]