Former Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell Passes Away at 92
Former Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell has passed away at the age of 92, as confirmed by his family on Tuesday.
His daughter, Shanann Campbell, shared that he died of natural causes while surrounded by loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Linda, their two children, Shanann and Colin, along with four grandchildren.
Initially a Democrat, Campbell switched to the Republican Party in 1995 during his tenure in the U.S. Senate, a position he held from 1993 until his retirement in 2005, largely due to health issues.
Before his Senate service, Campbell represented Colorado in the U.S. House of Representatives and also served in the Colorado House.
He was recognized as the first Native American to serve in both the U.S. House and Senate. Notably, Campbell advocated passionately for Native American rights and issues. He was a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe and often spoke about his ancestry, particularly the tragic events of November 29, 1864, when U.S. soldiers killed over 150 Native Americans. He sponsored legislation aimed at elevating Great Sand Dunes National Monument to national park status.
In addition to his advocacy for Native American rights, Campbell supported children’s rights, organized labor, and had a fiscally conservative stance.
As an accomplished master jeweler, his work has been showcased at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian.
Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado expressed his admiration on social media, remembering Campbell as a renowned jeweler whose impact reached beyond Colorado, saying, “He will be sorely missed.”
Colorado’s Governor, Jared Polis, has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of Campbell’s memorial service, stating, “His contributions will leave a lasting legacy on our state and nation.”
Born on April 13, 1933, in Auburn, California, Campbell served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He earned his bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University in 1957, before studying at Meiji University in Tokyo, where he captained the U.S. judo team at the 1964 Olympics and secured a gold medal at the Pan American Games.
In addition to his political career, Campbell had a diverse background, having worked as a sheriff’s deputy in California, coached the U.S. national judo team, and managed his own dojo. He had a passion for motorcycles and ranching, earning a place in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
His public service legacy includes driving the Capitol Christmas tree across the country multiple times, a task he cherished.
Representative Diana DeGette commented on his uniqueness, saying, “He was a truly unique person, and my thoughts are with his family in the wake of his loss.”
Post-retirement, Campbell founded Ben Nighthorse Consultants, focusing on lobbying for federal policies related to Native American issues and natural resources. He continued designing American Indian jewelry after leaving Congress.
Campbell’s decision to switch to the Republican Party in 1995 came after feeling disillusioned with the Senate’s rejection of the Balanced Budget Amendment, though he maintained that his principles remained steadfast. He asserted that his approach to voting had not changed, being equally committed to labor and minority issues regardless of party affiliation.
“It didn’t change me… I’m always willing to listen…but I don’t think you can be everything to everyone, no matter what political party you belong to,” he remarked after his party switch.
