Former governor and U.S. senator David Pryor, who was a Democrat, passed away at 89 in Little Rock, Ark. from natural causes on Saturday.
Pryor was seen as one of the most important voices of the Democratic Party in the state. Before becoming governor, Pryor began his political career in 1960 when he was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives. He remained in the state legislature until 1966, when he won a special election to Congress.
He held various positions for more than three decades during his time in public service.
Pryor was a member of the House of Representatives until 1973. After leaving the House, he became the governor of Arkansas in 1975, serving two terms. In 1979, he was elected to the Senate, winning three terms before retiring in early 1997.
Pryor left his mark on Capitol Hill with his advocacy for senior citizens, often investigating nursing homes while in Congress. He played a key role in creating the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, a legislation aimed at expanding taxpayers’ rights in disputes with the IRS.
Former President Bill Clinton praised Pryor as one of the state’s most dedicated public servants and one of the finest leaders he had ever known.
Clinton mentioned that Pryor fought for progressive policies that helped the state move forward beyond its divided past.
“David made politics personal — from his famed retail campaigning to his ability to calmly and confidently explain tough votes to his constituents,” Clinton said in a Saturday statement. statement. “He was honest, compassionate, and full of common sense. He really loved the people he represented, and they loved him back.”
Republican officials, including Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R), also expressed sorrow over Pryor’s death.
“Bryan and I are mourning the death of a dedicated Congressman, Governor, and Senator, David Pryor,” she said in a post on social media platform X.
She mentioned that Pryor’s “charisma and moderate politics” made him “a force at the ballot box for decades.”
“While the Senator and I came up in different political parties, I, like all Arkansans deeply appreciated his diligent stewardship of Arkansas and our interests during his time in public life,” she said in the post.
Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton said that Pryor was a “true gentleman and a statesman” who dedicated his life in public office to serve the country.
“His example served and will continue to serve as inspiration for our fellow Arkansans,” Cotton said in a statement. “I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and loved ones for whom I pray his memory will always be a cherished blessing.”
