Former Texas Gov. and Ex-U.S. Sen. Price Daniel Dies

LIBERTY, Tex. — Former Texas Gov. Price Daniel, who once said he would rather hold that job than the presidency, died in this southeast Texas town early today. He was 77.

The former governor and U.S. senator died at about 1 a.m., said George Christian, a press secretary to former President Lyndon B. Johnson and a friend of the Daniel family. Daniel apparently suffered a massive stroke at his ranch and was taken to Yettie Kersting Hospital at Liberty, Christian said. He was dead upon arrival.

Daniel served three two-year terms as governor from 1957 to 1963 but lost an unprecedented bid for a fourth term in a Democratic primary race won by John Connally.