Through the end of the year, Hearst Newspapers Washington Bureau is presenting a series of 'Top Ten' lists wrapping up 2009, looking ahead to 2010 and assessing the decade that was. Here is a list of 10 Texas political legends who died in the past 10 years. Ann Richards The state's last Democratic governor and a national Democratic superstar. Lloyd Bentsen A giant in the U.S. Senate who transcended party and ideological lines, this Houston businessman also served as U.S. Treasury Secretary and Democratic vice presidential nominee. Henry B. Gonzalez Across South Texas, it is said, three portraits adorned the walls: Jesus Christ, John F. Kennedy and Henry Barbosa Gonzalez. Henry B was a civil rights legend: filibustering against segregation for 22 hours while serving in the Texas Senate, blazing trails for Hispanics in the U.S. Congress and battling the Federal Reserve long before it was fashionable. Louie Welch A Houston mayor with a vision for the future and a will to accomplish his goals. Billie Carr 'The Godmother' of Texas Democrats and the inspiration for Texas liberals, she was the grand dame of Houston Democratic politics for decades. Preston Smith A genial governor in turbulent times, he presided over the passage of the state's Equal Rights Amendment for women. Jim Mattox 'The People's Lawyer' was a feisty Dallas congressman and attorney general. Billy Wayne Clayton A conservative West Texas Democrat who served as Texas House speaker longer than anyone before him, he survived a federal indictment in the Brilab sting (he was acquitted) and liberal revolts against his pro-business agenda. Warren G. Harding No, not the former president, the former Texas State Treasurer. A conservative Dallas Democrat, he's probably best known for the person he succeeded as Treasurer (Jesse James) and the woman who unseated him (Ann Richards). Molly Ivins She wasn't exactly a politician, but the fiercely liberal columnist was a political force of nature in her beloved home state and around the nation. If it wasn't for Molly, there would be no 'Shrub,' no 'Dubya' and no Texas 'Lege.' 