Landon, Alfred Mossman (1887-1987), was the Republican candidate for President in 1936. He and his running mate, Frank Knox, lost the election to Franklin D. Roosevelt and John Nance Garner.
Landon served two terms as governor of Kansas. He won the 1932 and 1934 elections despite the Democratic national landslide. Landon’s ability to balance the state budget helped bring him the presidential nomination in 1936.
Landon was born on Sept. 9, 1887, in West Middlesex, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of Kansas. In 1912, he and three partners created a company to develop oil wells. Landon became a leader in the petroleum industry. In 1928, he served as chairman of the Republican State Central Committee. Landon’s daughter Nancy Landon Kassebaum served in the United States Senate from 1979 to 1997. Landon died on Oct. 12, 1987.
