Ann Richards, former governor of Texas and feisty figure in Texas and national politics, has died, losing her battle with esophagal cancer. Governor from 1991-1995, she came to national prominence with a keynote speech at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Her critiques of George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush were picturesque and biting, including the 1988 remark about then-candidate George H. W. Bush that he was "born with a silver foot in his mouth."

When Ann Richards was elected State Treasurer in 1982, she was the first woman elected to statewide office in Texas since Ma Ferguson. Richards was reelected in 1986, unopposed, and then ran for governor in 1990. In her 1994 reelection campaign, she lost to George W. Bush, the son of the presidential candidate she'd skewered in 1988.

• Ann Richards Quotations
• Ma Ferguson
• Some great photos of Ann Richards

Some obituaries of Ann Richards in the news:

• Politicians Remember Ann Richards and Ann Richards Slideshow - keyetv.com, Austin, Texas
• Ann Richards, Former Governor of Texas, Dies at 73 - New York Times
• Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards Dies - Washington Post
• Groundbreaking Politician, Quintessential Texas Woman - Houston Chronicle
• Former Texas Governer Dies at 73 - BBC
• Baylor Mourns Death of Baylor Graduate and Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards - Baylor University