Oklahoma residents gathered in sorrow on Sunday to pay their respects to Fred Harris, a former U.S. Senator and a key figure in the state’s progressive political landscape. Harris, who ran for the presidency in 1976, passed away on Saturday at the age of 94.

Members of the Democratic Party across Oklahoma reminisced about Harris’s unwavering dedication to social and economic justice during the tumultuous 1960s. He played a significant role in leading the Democratic National Committee from 1969 to 1970, where he was instrumental in mending divisions within the party following the chaotic 1968 national convention in Chicago, marked by fierce clashes between protesters and law enforcement.

Alicia Andrews, the chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, remarked on Harris’s influential leadership style. “Fred Harris demonstrated the possibilities of leading from a place of both compassion and integrity. He fought to ensure that every person had both a voice and a seat at the table,” she stated.

This past summer, Harris was a distinguished guest speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where he addressed the Oklahoma delegation, sharing insights on the progress and the need for unity within the party. Andrews commented, “Standing beside him in Chicago this summer reminded us of the enduring inspiration drawn from his legacy.”

Kalyn Free, a respected member of the Choctaw Nation and the Democratic National Committee, expressed deep admiration for Harris. “He was not just a friend but also a mentor and a hero to me. He was my True North. Both Oklahoma and America have lost a powerful advocate and voice today,” Free conveyed in a heartfelt statement, adding that his contributions to Indian Country would never fade from memory.

Jeff Berrong, whose grandfather served alongside Harris in the state Senate, called him an “Oklahoma treasure” and noted how Harris’s visionary approach was ahead of its time. “He never lost sight of his origins and remained committed to crafting a society that offered equal opportunities for all,” Berrong reflected.

Harris initially spent eight years in the Oklahoma State Senate before advancing to the U.S. Senate for another eight years, culminating in his presidential bid in 1976. State Democratic leaders also honored his contributions to the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, popularly known as the Kerner Commission, which was tasked with examining the riots of the 1960s. Notably, Harris was the last living member of that commission.

Following his presidential campaign, Harris shifted his focus away from politics and relocated to New Mexico, where he took on the role of a political science professor at the University of New Mexico.