Former Democratic Senator Howard M. Metzenbaum, a well-known champion of workers and consumers, died at the age of 90, at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Wednesday night, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s web site. No cause of death has been listed.

Juanita Powe, his assistant for 45 years, reported that Metzenbaum’s wife and his four daughters were at his bedside when he died.

He had served in the Senate as Democratic senator from Ohio for almost 20 years, since 1976 when he was first elected after a brief appointment in 1974 to fill a vacancy. He was re-elected to two more six-year terms before quitting in 1995.

After stepping down from office, he served as part-time president of the Consumer Federation of America, a consumer advocacy group.

He was a vehement critic of big business, and he acquired the nickname “Senator No” for successfully using filibusters to block some bills which he considered to favor special interests. His favorite targets were big oil companies, the insurance industry, savings and loans, and the National Rifle Association.

His activity in the Senate focused on strengthening workers and consumers’ rights. He endorsed a bill that provides a 60-day notice to employees before plant closing. He also promoted the Brady bill, which requires a waiting period before buying a handgun.

Before entering the senate, Metzenbaum was a businessman and labor lawyer in Ohio. He was born in Cleveland and received bachelor’s and doctorate degrees at Ohio State University.

He was one of the wealthiest members of the Senate, after he made insightful investments mainly in real estates.

In the early 1950s, he started an airport parking lot franchise that developed into the Airport Parking Co. of America, sold for $6 million in 1966. “Not bad for a Jewish boy who started off without two nickels to rub together,” he used to say.