Former Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr., the Virginia Democrat-turned-independent who made his name urging fiscal discipline, died on Tuesday at the age of 98.
Byrd served 17 years in the Senate, from late 1965 until January, 1983. Byrd replaced his father, Harry Flood Byrd, after poor health forced him to retire from his Senate seat.
The younger Byrd won the 1966 special election for the remainder of his father’s term before breaking with the Democratic party. He won re-election as an independent in 1970 and 1976.In the Senate, Byrd pushed for fiscal restraint and supported Virginia’s stance against desegregation.
Byrd is survived by his son, Tom Byrd, the president and publisher of The Winchester Star.
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