Fred R. Harris, Senator Who Ran for President, Dies at 94

Fred R. Harris, a former U.S. Senator from Oklahoma who ran for president in 1976, has passed away at the age of 94. Harris, a Democrat, was known for his progressive politics and commitment to civil rights and social justice.

Harris was born in Walters, Oklahoma in 1930. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War before attending the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a law degree. He went on to serve in the Oklahoma State Senate before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1964.

During his time in the Senate, Harris was a vocal advocate for civil rights and social welfare programs. He was a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and played a key role in passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Harris also served on the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, where he focused on issues of hunger and poverty.

In 1976, Harris ran for president as a progressive alternative to the more moderate candidates in the Democratic Party. He focused his campaign on issues of economic inequality, civil rights, and ending the Vietnam War. While he ultimately did not win the nomination, Harris’s campaign was seen as a significant moment in the history of progressive politics in the United States.

After leaving the Senate in 1981, Harris continued to be involved in politics and public service. He served as a professor at the University of New Mexico and as chairman of the Democratic National Committee’s Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling. He also wrote several books on politics and public policy.

Throughout his life, Fred R. Harris remained committed to his principles of social justice and equality. He was a tireless advocate for the marginalized and disenfranchised, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of progressive leaders.

Harris is survived by his wife, LaDonna, and their three children. He will be remembered as a dedicated public servant and a champion of progressive causes. Rest in peace, Fred R. Harris.