Former Attorney General Joe Mazurek has died due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 64.

The well-known Democrat died Tuesday at an assisted living facility in Helena after the disease progressed rapidly in recent months, according to his former law office.

Mazurek was the state attorney general from 1992 to 2000 and served as a state senator from Helena prior to that. Mazurek ran for governor in 2000, but lost in the primary to Mark O'Keefe.

Mazurek was known by colleagues as conciliator who both sides trusted.

After his political career, Mazurek returned to private practice in Helena, but had to retire several years ago as the quickly-developing brain disease took hold. He is survived by his wife Patti and three sons, Jeff, Tom and Dan. Funeral arrangements are pending.