Kent Snyder

Kent Snyder, described as one of the strongest voices that convinced Texas congressman Ron Paul to run for president, dead at 49

CLUTE, Texas - Kent Snyder, a man described as one of the strongest voices that convinced Texas congressman Ron Paul to run for president, died Thursday. He was 49.

Kent Snyder died from a severe case of viral pneumonia, said Jesse Benton, a spokesman for Paul's presidential campaign.

Paul's maverick campaign drew support from independents and Democrats opposed to the war. Paul, from Lake Jackson, also garnered support for championing small government.

While Arizona Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, won the Republican nomination for president, Paul raised more than $35 million during his 17-month campaign and won more than 1 million votes.