Fred Harris, a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma and presidential candidate who championed Democratic Party reform in the 1960s, died Saturday.
He was 94 years old.
Harris' wife, Margaret Elliston, confirmed his death to The Associated Press. It is not yet known where he died, but he had lived in New Mexico since 1976 and was a resident of Corrales at the time of his death.
"Fred Harris died peacefully early this morning of natural causes. He was 94 years old. He was a wonderful and popular person. His memory is a blessing," Elliston said.
Harris served in the Senate for eight years, winning for the first time in 1964, and in 1976 he ran unsuccessfully for the post of US President.
As chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 1969 and 1970, Harris helped heal the party's wounds after the tumultuous 1968 national convention, which saw clashes between protesters and police in Chicago.
He introduced rule changes that led to an increase in the number of women and minorities in the ranks of convention delegates and in leadership positions.
