Republican Stalwart Former Sen. Jesse Helms Dies At 86

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Former North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms, one of the stalwarts of social conservatism, died on Friday. He was 86.

The five-term Republican senator passed away at around 1:15 a.m. in Raleigh, the Jesse Helms Center announced on its website. His former chief of staff, Jimmy Broughton, is quoted by WJLA as saying that he died of natural causes.

Helms is best known as a hardline conservative who championed "Old South" values. He chaired the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee through most of former President Bill Clinton's term, frequently blocking presidential appointments and Democratic bills that he was dubbed "Senator No" by critics.

Helms began his career in the Senate in 1972, becoming the first Republican to be elected from the Tar Heel State to the legislative body in the 20th century. He subsequently won four successive re-election bids, retiring only in 2003 because of his poor health.