(AP) – Fred Harris, a former US senator from Oklahoma, presidential hopeful and populist who championed Democratic Party reforms in the turbulent 1960s, died Saturday. He was 94. Harris’ wife, Margaret Elliston, confirmed his death to The Associated Press.

After eight years in the Senate as a moderate Democrat, he took a leftward turn toward “new populism” in a failed shot at the presidency in 1976.

Mr. Harris, a liberal populist, was once considered one of the bright young faces of the Democratic Party. He twice ran for president and chaired the Democratic National Committee.