MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Former state Sen. “Walking” Wendell Mitchell, who served the 30th District outside Montgomery for almost three decades, has died. He was 71.

His wife of 48 years, Rosalind, told The Associated Press he suffered from congestive heart failure and died about 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Luverne resident lost his seat in 2010 to Republican Bryan Taylor, an Iraq veteran and former aide to Gov. Bob Riley.

He was defeated after years of changing demographics in the six counties of district and a harsh mid-term climate for Democrats across the South and the rest of the country.

Mitchell earned his nickname “Walking” by walking from town to town during campaigns. He was a former professor and dean emeritus of Jones Law School at Faulkner University.