Ben Nighthorse Campbell, former Colorado Senator, has passed away
- Media Logic Radio
- Dec 31, 2025
- 1 min read
Former U.S. Senator and Congressman Ben Nighthorse Campbell has died. He was 92.
Campbell died Tuesday of natural causes, surrounded by family, according to his daughter, Shanan Campbell.
A member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, Campbell was known for his fierce advocacy of Native American issues and his maverick political style. He served three terms in the U.S. House starting in 1987, then two terms in the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 2005.
Originally a Democrat, Campbell shocked Washington in 1995 when he switched to the Republican Party, citing frustration with Democrats for blocking a balanced-budget amendment. He insisted his principles never changed — only his party label.
Campbell stood out in Congress for his cowboy boots, bolo ties and ponytail, but also for his work on children’s issues, organized labor and fiscal restraint. He was the only Native American serving in the U.S. Senate at the time.
Among his accomplishments was helping upgrade the Great Sand Dunes National Monument into a national park.
Born in California, Campbell served in the Air Force during the Korean War, competed in the 1964 Olympics as a judo athlete, and later became an internationally recognized Native American jeweler.
He retired from politics in 2004 and returned to Colorado, where his legacy as a trailblazing lawmaker endures.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell was 92.
