Colorado mourns the loss of a political titan as former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a fierce defender of Native American rights, has died at 92.
Campbell, who represented Colorado as a Republican after switching from the Democratic Party, passed away Tuesday from natural causes, as confirmed by his daughter Shanan Campbell to The Hill.
His legacy stretches from the statehouse to the U.S. Senate, where he carved a unique path as the only Native American serving in the chamber during his tenure. A proud Northern Cheyenne, Campbell's life was a testament to breaking barriers with grit and principle.
Born in California to a Northern Cheyenne father and a Portuguese immigrant mother, Campbell's early years hinted at his relentless drive. He captained the U.S. judo team at the 1964 Olympics after studying at Meiji University in Tokyo.
His political journey began in the Colorado House of Representatives from 1983 to 1986, before winning three terms in the U.S. House. By 1992, he had secured a Senate seat, a platform he used to amplify Native American voices.
Campbell's style matched his independent spirit, often seen in cowboy boots, a bolo tie, and a leather jacket, roaring through life on a Harley-Davidson. Beyond politics, he ran a jewelry store and a cattle ranch, embodying the rugged individualism many Coloradans admire.
In 1995, Campbell made waves by switching from Democrat to Republican after the Senate rejected a balanced budget amendment. This move wasn't mere posturing; it reflected a man fed up with fiscal irresponsibility and unwilling to bend to party dogma.
"I get hammered from the extremes," he said at the time, acknowledging the pushback. His words reveal a truth too often ignored: no one can please everyone, and chasing that illusion is a fool's errand.
Despite the switch, Campbell never wavered on core issues like Native American sovereignty, health, and education. His focus remained on practical solutions, not partisan games, a rarity in a Washington obsessed with tribal loyalties over results.
Campbell's tenure saw him become the first Native American chair of the Committee on Indian Affairs, a historic milestone. He fought tirelessly for water rights, notably for the Southern Ute tribe's access to the Animas-La Plata Project, later tied to Lake Nighthorse, named in his honor.
"We've got to find better ways of using what we have," he told the Sun in July, speaking on water challenges. His blunt realism cuts through the utopian haze often peddled by bureaucrats who promise endless resources without hard choices.
His advocacy wasn't just policy; it was personal, rooted in his heritage and a deep sense of duty. Colorado's Native communities found in him a warrior who understood their struggles and wielded Senate power to address them.
Tributes poured in after his passing, with Rep. Lauren Boebert calling him a "true legend" on social media, praising his pioneering spirit alongside his wife, Linda. Her words echo a sentiment shared by many: Campbell's legacy of strength and service will endure for generations.
Sen. John Hickenlooper remembered him as a "master jeweler" whose generosity left a lasting mark. Such kindness, paired with political courage, paints a picture of a man who led with both heart and steel, a balance sorely needed today.
Campbell's story challenges the cookie-cutter narratives that dominate public life, where conformity often trumps conviction. Colorado, and indeed the nation, lost a leader who dared to stand apart, proving that true representation means fighting for what's right, not what's popular.