Fred Harris, Former Senator and Populist, Dies at 94

Fred Harris, Former Senator and Populist, Dies at 94 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Fred Harris, a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma and a Democratic presidential hopeful, passed away at the age of 94. Harris, known for his progressive values, championed Democratic Party reforms, civil rights, and anti-poverty initiatives during the 1960s and 1970s. His legacy includes pivotal contributions to racial and social equity and a commitment to inclusive political representation.

Fred Harris’ Life and Legacy: Quick Looks

• Early Years: Grew up in rural Oklahoma, worked on a farm as a child, and funded his education through part-time jobs.
• Political Career: Oklahoma State Senator, U.S. Senator (1964–1972), and Democratic National Committee chair.
• Party Reformer: Advocated for diversity and transparency in the Democratic Party after the 1968 convention.
• Civil Rights Advocate: Served on the Kerner Commission and authored reports on racial inequality.
• Presidential Aspirations: Ran for the Democratic nomination in 1976 but ended his campaign after early losses.
• Academic Contributions: Taught at the University of New Mexico and authored numerous books, including a novel.
• Legacy: A steadfast voice for civil rights, economic equality, and progressive causes.

Deep Look

Fred Harris, a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma and a key figure in the Democratic Party during the 1960s and 1970s, passed away on Saturday at the age of 94. His death was confirmed by his wife, Margaret Elliston, who shared that he passed peacefully of natural causes. “Fred was a wonderful and beloved man. His memory is a blessing,” she said.

Harris served in the U.S. Senate for eight years, first winning his seat in 1964 after the death of Senator Robert S. Kerr. During his tenure, he championed progressive policies, civil rights, and anti-poverty programs that sought to uplift minorities and the disadvantaged. In 1976, Harris ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, though his campaign ended after poor performances in early primaries.

One of Harris’s most notable contributions was as chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) from 1969 to 1970. In the wake of the violent and divisive 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Harris spearheaded reforms to make the party more inclusive and democratic. These changes increased representation for women and minorities among convention delegates and in leadership roles, creating a more equitable structure within the party. Reflecting on the reforms decades later, Harris said, “The Democratic Party was not democratic… It’s made the selection much more legitimate and democratic.”

Harris’s passion for justice extended beyond political reform. He served on the Kerner Commission, formally known as the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, which President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed to study the causes of racial unrest in the 1960s. The commission’s landmark 1968 report famously warned that America was “moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal.” Harris later co-authored a follow-up report in 1998, lamenting that many of the commission’s dire predictions had become reality. “The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and minorities are suffering disproportionately,” he said.

Harris was a vocal advocate for populist values, emphasizing the need to curb the influence of wealth in politics and enact policies that supported the middle and working classes. “I’ve always called myself a populist or progressive,” he said in a 1998 interview, adding that he opposed concentrated power and sought to represent the everyday American.

His career in politics was shaped by a deep understanding of economic hardship and rural life. Born on November 13, 1930, in a two-room farmhouse near Walters, Oklahoma, Harris grew up in a household without electricity, indoor plumbing, or running water. By age five, he was working on his family’s farm, earning ten cents a day helping with hay baling. Despite financial challenges, Harris pursued higher education at the University of Oklahoma, where he earned degrees in political science, history, and law. He supported himself through part-time jobs as a janitor and printer’s assistant.

Harris’s political journey began in the Oklahoma State Senate in 1956. In 1964, he won a hotly contested race for the U.S. Senate, defeating J. Howard Edmondson in the Democratic primary and Oklahoma football coach Charles “Bud” Wilkinson in the general election. Known for his progressive stances, Harris opted not to seek reelection in 1972, recognizing the challenges of running as a left-leaning Democrat in conservative Oklahoma.

After leaving the Senate, Harris moved to New Mexico, where he became a political science professor at the University of New Mexico. Over the years, he authored and edited more than a dozen books, including political analyses and a mystery novel set during the Great Depression. His academic work reflected his lifelong interest in justice, governance, and the struggles of everyday people.

Harris’s commitment to civil rights was evident throughout his career. Alongside his first wife, LaDonna Harris, a Comanche activist, he worked to advance Native American issues. He also co-chaired Hubert Humphrey’s 1968 presidential campaign and pushed for a stronger stance against the Vietnam War, though the campaign’s delayed opposition to the conflict disappointed him.

Despite his deep involvement in politics, Harris maintained a clear-eyed view of the challenges facing American democracy. Speaking about his party reforms, he noted that while greater openness and diversity had improved the process, modern conventions had become “ratifying conventions” rather than moments of decision-making.

Harris is survived by his second wife, Margaret Elliston, whom he married in 1983, and three children from his first marriage: Kathryn, Byron, and Laura. His contributions to American politics, civil rights, and progressive causes leave an indelible mark on the nation’s history.

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