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The 20 best Labor Day deals you can shop at Walmart now
Labor Day is a week away, but the Labor Day 2024 sales have already begun. The shopping experts at CBS Essentials We’ve been keeping an eye on these Labor Day discounts, and so far they are pretty swell.
One store you need to stop at while making your shopping rounds this Labor Day weekend is Walmart. Walmart is known for offering great discounts year-round, but they get even better during Labor Day. Tap the button below to head directly to Walmart’s Labor Day sale, or read on for our top deal picks.
Best Labor Day 2024 deals at Walmart
Walmart’s Labor Day sale offers savings of up to 68% off on home essentials, must-have kitchen items, very cool TVs and more from now through Labor Day.
Best Labor Day tech and TV deals at Walmart
TCL 65″ Class Q 4K QLED with Google TV: Save 30%
Get ready for the 2024 NFL season with a great deal on a top-notch Google TV. TCL’s Q Class TV offers premium picture quality featuring QLED Quantum Dot technology and HDR Pro+ with Dolby vision, ensuring a high-quality picture with enhanced contrast, colors and details.
This budget TV’s high-brightness direct LED backlight delivers brighter images, while the TV’s auto game mode optimizes the picture for responsive gameplay without lag. A standout TV for movie lovers, sports fans and gamers alike, this TV is a great pick for the price.
You can get this bestselling TV at Walmart for $348 this Labor Day, reduced from $498.
Samsung 65″ QN90C Neo QLED 4K smart TV: Save 54%
If you’re looking for a TV that brings your movies and games to life, the 2023 Samsung QN90C is definitely worth checking out. Samsung fans love this TV for its Quantum Dot tech and HDR+, which make everything pop with deep blacks, bright whites and colors that look so real you’ll feel like you’re right there.
One of the coolest things about this TV is its AI upscaling. It can take older shows and movies that aren’t in 4K and make them look way sharper and more detailed. So, even if you’re bingeing on some classic sitcoms or old-school flicks, the TV’s technology will make them look better than ever. Plus, the anti-glare screen is a lifesaver if you’ve got a lot of light in your room.
Another great feature is the wide viewing angle. No more fighting over who gets to sit in the sweet spot! Everyone can enjoy a great view from anywhere on the couch. And with the Object Tracking Sound+, the audio follows the action on the screen.
LG 65″ OLED Evo C2 4K UHD smart TV: Save 43%
This 65-inch LG Evo C2 OLED TV offers a bright and particularly brilliant screen that can display more than one billion colors with satisfying contrast. This makes for a lifelike viewing experience from a TV that was originally released back in 2002.
This model uses LG’s a7 Gen5 AI Processor 4K to automatically optimize picture and sound quality. Plus, you get support for Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos.
This LG OLED smart TV runs using WebOS and has a slim profile and sleek design. If you’re looking for a TV that fits into more modern decor, this one is the perfect size for an average-sized room. And if you buy it now, you can save $1,061 on your purchase.
Samsung 65″ Class OLED S90C 4K smart TV: Save 55%
This smart TV delivers stunning native 4K viewing and uses AI-powered upscaling to make lower-resolution content look sharper than ever.
Thanks to its OLED display, you’ll get remarkably deep blacks, vibrant colors and impressive brightness. HDR support adds crisp, smooth images. This is a slightly older model of this TV, but the S90 series continues to be a CBS Essentials favorite.
As with all Samsung TVs, you get plenty of free live and on-demand programming, provided by Samsung. When you pair this TV with any Samsung soundbar or surround sound system, you can take advantage of Q-Symphony to utilize both the TV’s built-in speakers and the speakers you connect to the TV to generate a much more robust sound.
Plus, you can easily connect your favorite console gaming system to the TV, or play online games via a service like Nvidia GeForce Now or Xbox Game Pass, using your favorite handheld controller that pairs directly to the TV.
Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones: Save 27%
Right now, the Sony WH-1000XM5s are Sony’s top-of-the-line consumer headphones that offer noise canceling and spatial audio. They feature up to a 30-hour battery life and produce incredibly clear and robust audio.
One feature we love about these headphones is their support for DSEE Extreme. This tech upscales compressed digital audio files in real-time to restore sounds that would otherwise be lost to compression. These headphones also support multipoint connectivity and Google’s Fast Pair feature.
The WH-1000XM5 headphones offer superior sound quality and use Sony’s noise-cancellation technology to eliminate unwanted ambient noise. When supported, the 360 Reality Audio sounds terrific.
Samsung Q-Series Q900C 11.1.4ch wireless Dolby Atmos soundbar and rear speakers: Save 46%
Here’s your chance to save big when you purchase this bestselling Samsung Q900C surround sound system. It’s designed to work seamlessly with any Samsung smart TV, but it’s also compatible with any other smart TV from any brand.
Imagine filling your TV room with 22 powerful speakers designed to wrap you in sound. Well, you can expect that and more from the Samsung Q-Series Q990C surround sound system.
The soundbar alone offers 11 front-facing speakers. Using the Adaptive Sound function, the Q990C optimizes audio in real-time to ensure dialogue can be heard clearly. For gamers, thanks to the Game Mode Pro feature, when you plug in a gaming console, the sound system automatically adjusts to provide the most immersive audio possible when playing your favorite games.
Whether you’re watching TV, movies or sports, the Q990C offers a loud, clear and overall impressive listening experience. Included with the system is a remote control and wall mounting kit.
Lenovo 13″ ThinkPad 2-in-1: Save 45%
Falling into the mid-priced and mid-powered category, the Lenovo 13-inch ThinkPad is a versatile, two-in-one laptop hybrid that runs Windows 11 Pro. You can use it as either a Windows tablet or laptop. The device itself is lightweight and compact. Inside, you’ll find an Intel Core Ultra 7-165U processor, 16GB of RAM and a generous 1TB of internal storage.
We love that this ThinkPad weighs just 2.65 pounds and has a touchscreen display (offering 1,920 x 1,200-pixel resolution), so it’s ready to handle all of your everyday computing tasks — and so much more.
Of course, the computer is also equipped with a webcam, multiple USB ports and an HDMI port. Head over to Walmart right now and save $1,318 on this laptop. You’ll pay just $1,611 through Labor Day.
Best Labor Day home and kitchen deals at Walmart
Shark IQ robot vacuum: Save 46%
Tired of spending all your spare time vacuuming? Let a robot vacuum take care of it. This self-emptying Shark robot vacuum is great for handling multiple surfaces, and it has a 60-day capacity base. You don’t have to do anything but unleash it on dirty floors so it can get to hoovering crumbs, hair and other debris.
This vacuum uses 360-degree LiDAR vision to scan your home and create custom maps so it can easily avoid obstacles. It can also detect and avoid specific objects in its path so you don’t have to worry about collisions. When it’s running low on battery (or needs to empty itself), it returns to its base to recharge, then goes back to its last cleaning spot to pick up where it left off.
Normally $500, you can snatch up this robot vacuum for just $268 this Labor Day, which is $232 off its usual price.
Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum: Save 43%
The Dyson V8 is a great vacuum, and one of the best, most reliable you’ll find when it comes to the Dyson line. It offers super powerful suction, lightweight maneuverability and more. And it’s now super affordable at Walmart.
Not only does the vacuum look cool, but it has a great brush tool with a cleaner that can deep clean carpets and hard floors. It uses hair removal vanes to break through long hair and pet hair alike, so the vacuum won’t get tripped up when you run it.
It can run for 40 minutes at a time and can convert to a small handheld vacuum that you can use to reach those tiny nooks and crannies all over your home. Plus, it comes with a set of four accessories you can use to make tidying up a bit easier.
If you need to clean up pet hair or other debris in hard-to-reach places, this stick vacuum can help get the job done. It’s on sale for $300 right now at Walmart, which is $220 off its normal price.
Idoo electric spin scrubber: Save 54%
Is your bathroom overdue for a cleaning? Bring a power scrubber into the mix and you’ll never have a better-looking shower and toilet — or kitchen, for that matter. Not only that, but letting this cleaning tool do all the grunt work for you will mean less fatigue and back pain in the long run.
This cordless electric cleaning brush has a motor that runs at 435 RPM to effortlessly cut through the most stubborn stains you can bring it. It’s great to be used anywhere you have tile, shower glass, hard floor, and patio furniture. Plus, it has five types of brush heads to facilitate better cleaning.
You can get it from Walmart for just $40, a huge price cut from its list price of $110.
Vtopmart airtight food storage containers set: Save 32%
Our readers love Vtopmart dry food storage containers, and it’s easy to see why. This set comes with a whopping 32 containers, giving you the ability to store all kinds of dry foods, including pasta, rice, flour, snacks and more. Storing your flour in an airtight container is especially important, as it helps ward off pantry bugs.
The set includes two tall containers, 10 large containers, 10 medium containers, 10 small containers, labels and chalk to write on the labels. These are also stackable and come with lids that fit every container (regardless of the size). At $47 for the set, you’re only paying about $1.50 for each container.
The Vtopmart airtight food storage containers set has a 4.6-star rating on Walmart. One reviewer wrote, “Really strong plastic that seals and locks. Fantastic for organization and keeping food fresh. Also, the stickers are durable and really useful.”
Vavsea immersion hand blender: Save 49%
This hand blender set offers incredible value for its price. It comes with four attachments, including a whisk (perfect for beating eggs), a blender (great for pureeing soups), a chopper (very effective at mincing garlic and onions) and a milk frother, the latter of which is essential for those of us who like to make our lattes cappuccinos at home.
The immersion blender also has 12 speed settings, allowing you to customize your mixes further, and a cup for the chopper setting. What’s more, all the attachments are dishwasher-safe.
The Vavsea immersion hand blender has a 4.4-star rating on Walmart. One reviewer said this product “deserves 10 stars,” adding: “I have no idea why it has taken me this long to get an immersion blender, but I’m glad this was my first one. I was so impressed with the power this thing has.”
Fullstar vegetable chopper: Save 23%
One of our CBS Essentials shopping experts has had a Fullstar vegetable chopper for years and loves it, telling us that it has changed her cooking game for the better.
This convenient cooking tool comes with six cutting attachments, including medium dicer, fine dicer, slicer, julienne blade, grater and coarse shredder, allowing you to complete a variety of meal prep tasks, including chopping onions, slicing cucumber, creating fine carrot matchsticks and more. In addition to cutting tools, the chopper also has a cleaning brush and finger guard, the latter of which will help tremendously when it comes to avoiding cuts.
The Fullstar vegetable chopper has a 4.8-star rating on Walmart. One reviewer wrote, “I finally used my new chopper and I must say that I really love it. I like the versatility in different blades. It’s super quick to cut my veggies now and easy to clean up. I will not have to spend hours chopping, dicing and cutting up vegetables during the holidays. I definitely recommend this product.”
The Pioneer Woman speckle 24-piece set: Save 38%
Good news, Pioneer Woman fans. Walmart just dropped a rollback on our reader-loved Pioneer Woman cookware set. The 24-piece Frontier Speckle cookware set is just $79 at Walmart right now. It typically retails for $129.
The 24-piece set has everything you need to cook just about anything in the kitchen. The set includes a 1-quart saucepan, a 2.5-quart saucepan with lid, a 5.5-quart Dutch oven with lid, a 9.5-inch fry pan, a 12-inch skillet, a 10-inch skillet, four measuring bowls, four measuring spoons, an 8-inch cast iron skillet, two mini au gratins, two silicone sleeves, a nylon spatula and an acacia woodturner and spoon. The must-have set is made with quick-heating aluminum and features a nonstick coating for easy cleaning.
“This Pioneer Woman 24-piece cookware set is simply gorgeous,” a Walmart customer says. “Obviously, functionality is every bit as important as beauty in the kitchen — and this cookware set has that in spades. Each piece feels sturdy and extremely well made.”
Best Labor Day patio furniture clearance deals at Walmart
Nicesoul Boho stationary wicker yellow egg chair: Save 67%
Experience this cozy and relaxing chair that’ll also enhance the appearance of your outdoor living space. You’ll literally sink into the embrace of its comfortable cushions.
The chair features a Boho aesthetic constructed using a sturdy, black powder-coated frame with a four-legged base. It’s a stationary “egg chair” designed to hold up to 440 pounds while creating a stable lounging experience for whoever sits within it.
The body of the chair is made from handwoven PE wicker, while all the included cushions and pillows are removable for easy washing. The cushions are water-resistant, but not waterproof.
For a limited time, Walmart has this egg chair on sale for just $194 — that’s a whopping $406 off its $600 list price. At this low price, you’ll want to buy two or three of these chairs to use as primary seating options in your backyard or on your porch or patio.
Sophia & William 6-piece wicker patio furniture set: Save 23%
This is a lovely, six-piece wicker patio set that offers comfortable seating for up to nine people. The set includes a three-seat couch, two single chairs, two ottomans (that can double as side tables or chairs) and a coffee table with a built-in fire pit.
This Sophia & William patio set will provide a relaxed and inviting atmosphere to any outdoor living space. The combination of the metal frame, natural wicker texture and the thick cushions create a comfortable and welcoming environment that invites people to sit, relax and enjoy the outdoors. The 57-inch fire pit table can easily be converted into a covered outdoor dining table, coffee table or lounge bar.
Right now, you can save $373 and purchase this gorgeous set for just $1,200 at Walmart.
Costway four-piece patio rattan conversation set: Save 52%
Our readers cannot stop buying this affordable patio set from Costway. The set, now under $200, includes a loveseat and two chairs with washable cushions that come in multiple color options, including red, navy, black and more. The coffee table has a removable tempered glass top that’ll no doubt survive outside (tempered glass is four times stronger than regular glass). The rattan is also built for the outdoors, as it’s both weather-resistant and fade-resistant.
This best-seller of ours has a 4.2-star rating on Walmart. One reviewer wrote, “I looked at so many sets that were very similar to this set, but this was the best priced. So impressed with the sturdiness and quality of it! Easy and quick to put together, looks amazing!! Would definitely recommend and will purchase again if needed!”
Justlet 10-foot cantilever patio umbrella: Save 54%
Cantilever patio umbrellas are usually really pricey, which is why we’re so excited about this discount on the Justlet 10-foot cantilever patio umbrella. This patio umbrella will provide ample shade under your lounge chairs, outdoor couch or dining table. It can also be adjusted 35 degrees, which will be helpful as the sun moves throughout the day.
The fabric on the umbrella is resistant to UV rays, water and fading from the sun. Plus, its sturdy base helps the umbrella stay upright through bouts of wind. You can get this in one of eight colors, including beige, red, orange and green.
The Justlet 10-foot cantilever patio umbrella has a 4.6-star rating on Walmart. One reviewer wrote, “It is even better quality than I expected. It is perfect for our back deck to block out the sun in the evening. I am so pleased with the quality and I am amazed at the low price. My husband and I have been searching for a while and this is perfect and extremely affordable.”
Labor Day grill deals at Walmart
KingChii wood pellet smoker and grill: Save 36%
For fans of wood pellet grills and smokers, here’s an option that’s both affordable and handy. The KingChii wood-pellet smoker and grill offers 456 square inches of cooking space and features automatic temperature controls. It also has folding legs for convenient storage or transport. A rain cover for the grill is included.
Right now, Walmart has this grill on sale for $256, reduced from $400. What we love about this grill is its automated electric feed system. It maintains the heat for you while producing the optimal amount of smoke. The grill is fueled using 100% all-natural hardwood pellets that infuse amazing wood-fired flavor into everything you cook.
This grill can be used to barbecue, bake, roast, braise, smoke, grill, sear or char-grill. It offers a cooking temperature range between 180 and 420 degrees Fahrenheit.
Z Grills wood pellet grill and smoker: Save 23%
You can’t go wrong with this new 2024 model from Z Grills. It’s a grill and smoker that has a wide temperature range — from 160 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit — so you can use it to barbecue, bake, grill, smoke, roast, braise, barbecue and char-grill your favorite foods.
The two tiers of grill rack offer 553 square inches of total cooking area, which is enough space to prepare food for four to five people. You can even remove the upper rack to have extra height for the grill’s main surface. The built-in hopper holds up to 10 pounds of wood pellets.
Walmart currently has this versatile grill on sale for just $339 this Labor Day, which is a savings of $100 off its regular $439 price.
Labor Day 2024 is almost here, which means Labor Day sales are live now. The shopping experts at CBS Essentials have scoured the best Labor Day sales at all your favorite retailers to bring you the best mattress deals, the best luggage deals, the best deals on major appliances, the best patio furniture clearance deals and even the best tire deals to shop this Labor Day.
CBS News
Marta’s Orlando Pride defeat Washington Spirit for their first NWSL title
Barbra Banda scored in the 37th minute to give the Orlando Pride their first National Women’s Soccer League championship with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit on Saturday night.
Banda dribbled into the right side of the box and made a move past a defender before kicking the ball on the ground with her left foot and past the goalkeeper. She became the first player in the NWSL to score in each round of the playoffs.
The Pride’s Angelina was nearly called for a push before passing it to Banda, but the VAR determined that the play was fair.
The Spirit (20-7-2) controlled the game and outshot the Pride 25-9, had two more shots on goal and held onto possession 58% of the time. Rosemonde Kouassi had Washington’s best chance in the 47 minute when she headed a ball from about 10 yards away.
Orlando’s win gave Brazilian star Marta her first NWSL title. The 38-year-old Marta, considered arguably the greatest female soccer player of all time, joined the Orlando Pride in 2017 but had never reached an NWSL championship game until this year.
“(It’s a) magic moment for me because I’ve been in this club for so long and (to) wait for this moment, you know, so it’s… I’m just enjoy every single moment,” she told CBS News Friday ahead of the game. “…This year become like the best year in my club life.”
Top-seed Orlando (21-6-2) went unbeaten in its first 23 matches, a league record. They beat the Kansas City Current in the semifinals before hoisting the trophy at CPKC Stadium, their home field.
Orlando is the first team since 2019 to win the Shield and the title in the same year.
Washington had won its last five playoff games when trailing at the half, but that streak was broken with this loss.
CBS News
2 killed in U.S. Civil Air Patrol plane crash near Palisade Mountain in Northern Colorado
Two people were killed and a third was injured when a U.S. Civil Air Patrol plane crashed in Colorado’s Front Range Saturday morning.
The small passenger plane with three people aboard crashed near Storm Mountain and Palisade Mountain west of Loveland around 11:15 a.m., according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. The plane belonged to the Civil Air Patrol, the civilian auxiliary wing of the U.S. Air Force, and was on a routine aerial photography training mission when it went down, officials said.
Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten were identified by CAP as those killed and co-pilot Randall Settergren was identified as the person injured. Settergren was airlifted to an area hospital by a National Guard helicopter, where he is undergoing medical care.
“The volunteers of Civil Air Patrol are a valuable part of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the lifesaving work they do on a daily basis directly contributes to the public safety of Coloradans throughout the state,” Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan, adjutant general of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said in a statement Saturday.
“We are devastated to hear of the loss of Susan Wolber and Jay Rhoten, and the injury of Randall Settergren, during a training mission in Larimer County. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families of those involved in the crash,” Clellan continued. “I would also like to thank all of the first responders who assisted with rescue efforts.”
Palisade Mountain is in Larimer County, about 20 miles west of Loveland and about 65 miles northwest of Denver. The area is part of the burn scar of the Alexander Mountain Fire, which burned almost 10,000 acres in over two weeks this past summer.
The crash happened about 200 feet below the summit of Palisade Mountain in an area that includes tall trees and steep hills as part of the mountain range. Rescue crews were heard on radio traffic working to find a landing zone for rescue helicopters. No structures were impacted by the crash.
The plane crashed in “very rugged” and “extensive and rocky terrain,” Ali Adams, a Larimer County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman, said at a news conference. First responders had to hike out to the site and the sole survivor was “severely injured” when responders finally got to them.
Rescue efforts were ongoing at 3:15 p.m., according to Adams, and recovery efforts for the two deceased people’s bodies could take several days.
Several agencies responded, including the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Thompson Valley EMS and the National Guard.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency investigating the crash and the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will assist, according to Adams. The NTSB said it too was investigating the crash and identified the plane as a Cessna 182.
“This is one of those incidents that is really low frequency; it doesn’t happen really often, but unfortunately, our first responders have had more than their fair share of responses,” Adams said.
George Solheim lives in the area of the crash. He described conditions as “extremely windy” on Saturday and heard the plane just prior to the crash. He says he could hear “loud ‘throttle up/down’ immediately prior to sudden silence at (the) time of (the) crash. Couldn’t hear sounds of impact from here.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis extended his sympathy to the families of the victims in a statement Saturday evening:
“I’m saddened to hear of the loss of two dedicated Civil Air Patrol members, Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten, who lost their lives in today’s crash and my thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues. These individuals, along with survivor co-pilot Randall Settergren, who was injured, served the Civil Air Patrol as volunteers who wanted to help make Colorado a better, safer place for all. The State of Colorado is grateful for their commitment to service and it will not be forgotten. I also want to thank the first responders who assisted with the rescue and recovery efforts.”
CBS News
Fred Harris, former Democratic U.S. senator and presidential candidate, dies at 94
Fred Harris, a former U.S. 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. He had lived in New Mexico since 1976.
“Fred Harris passed peacefully early this morning of natural causes. He was 94. He was a wonderful and beloved man. His memory is a blessing,” Elliston said in a text message.
Harris served eight years in the Senate, first winning in 1964 to fill a vacancy, and made unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 1976.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my longtime friend Fred Harris today,” Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham wrote in a post to social media. “Harris was a towering presence in politics and in academia, and his work over many decades improved New Mexico and the nation. He will be greatly missed.”
Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico said in a statement that “New Mexico and our nation have lost a giant,” describing him as a “tireless champion of civil rights, tribal sovereignty and working families.”
It fell to Harris, as chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 1969 and 1970, to help heal the party’s wounds from the tumultuous national convention in 1968 when protesters and police clashed in Chicago.
He ushered in rule changes that led to more women and minorities as convention delegates and in leadership positions.
“I think it’s worked wonderfully,” Harris recalled in 2004, when he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Boston. “It’s made the selection much more legitimate and democratic.”
“The Democratic Party was not democratic, and many of the delegations were pretty much boss-controlled or -dominated. And in the South, there was terrible discrimination against African Americans,” he said.
Harris ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976, quitting after poor showings in early contests, including a fourth-place win in New Hampshire. The more moderate Jimmy Carter went on to win the presidency.
Harris moved to New Mexico that year and became a political science professor at the University of New Mexico. He wrote and edited more than a dozen books, mostly on politics and Congress. In 1999 he broadened his writings with a mystery set in Depression-era Oklahoma.
Throughout his political career, Harris was a leading liberal voice for civil rights and anti-poverty programs to help minorities and the disadvantaged. Along with his first wife, LaDonna, a Comanche, he also was active in Native American issues.
“I’ve always called myself a populist or progressive,” Harris said in a 1998 interview. “I’m against concentrated power. I don’t like the power of money in politics. I think we ought to have programs for the middle class and working class.”
“Today ‘populism’ is often a dirty word because of how certain leaders wield power,” Heinrich said in his statement Saturday. “But Fred represented a different brand of populism — one that was never mean or exclusionary. Instead, Fred focused his work and attention on regular people who are often overlooked by the political class.”
Harris was a member of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, the so-called Kerner Commission, appointed by then-President Lyndon Johnson to investigate the urban riots of the late 1960s.
The commission’s groundbreaking report in 1968 declared, “our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white — separate and unequal.”
Thirty years later, Harris co-wrote a report that concluded the commission’s “prophecy has come to pass.”
“The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer and minorities are suffering disproportionately,” said the report by Harris and Lynn A. Curtis, president of the Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation, which continued the work of the commission.
Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute said Harris rose to prominence in Congress as a “fiery populist.”
“That resonates with people…the notion of the average person against the elite,” Ornstein said. “Fred Harris had a real ability to articulate those concerns, particularly of the downtrodden.”
In 1968, Harris served as co-chairman of the presidential campaign of then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey. He and others pressed Humphrey to use the convention to break with Johnson on the Vietnam War. But Humphrey waited to do so until late in the campaign, and narrowly lost to Republican Richard Nixon.
“That was the worst year of my life, ’68. We had Dr. Martin Luther King killed. We had my Senate seatmate Robert Kennedy killed and then we had this terrible convention,” Harris said in 1996.
“I left the convention — because of the terrible disorders and the way they had been handled and the failure to adopt a new peace platform — really downhearted.”
After assuming the Democratic Party leadership post, Harris appointed commissions that recommended reforms in the procedures for selecting delegates and presidential nominees. While lauding the greater openness and diversity, he said there had been a side effect: “It’s much to the good. But the one result of it is that conventions today are ratifying conventions. So it’s hard to make them interesting.”
“My own thought is they ought to be shortened to a couple of days. But they are still worth having, I think, as a way to adopt a platform, as a kind of pep rally, as a way to get people together in a kind of coalition-building,” he said.
Harris was born Nov. 13, 1930, in a two-room farmhouse near Walters, in southwestern Oklahoma, about 15 miles from the Texas line. The home had no electricity, indoor toilet or running water.
At age 5 he was working on the farm and received 10 cents a day to drive a horse in circles to supply power for a hay bailer.
He worked part-time as a janitor and printer’s assistant to help for his education at University of Oklahoma. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1952, majoring in political science and history. He received a law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1954, and then moved to Lawton to practice.
In 1956, he won election to the Oklahoma state Senate and served for eight years. In 1964, he launched his career in national politics in the race to replace Sen. Robert S. Kerr, who died in January 1963.
Harris won the Democratic nomination in a runoff election against J. Howard Edmondson, who left the governorship to fill Kerr’s vacancy until the next election. In the general election, Harris defeated an Oklahoma sports legend — Charles “Bud” Wilkinson, who had coached OU football for 17 years.
Harris won a six-year term in 1966 but left the Senate in 1972 when there were doubts that he, as a left-leaning Democrat, could win reelection.
Harris married his high school sweetheart, LaDonna Vita Crawford, in 1949, and had three children, Kathryn, Byron and Laura. After the couple divorced, Harris married Margaret Elliston in 1983. A complete list of survivors was not immediately available Saturday.