Former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell dead at 92

Niels Lesniewski, CQ-Roll Call on Dec 31, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

WASHINGTON — Former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who first came to Congress as a Democrat but later switched to the GOP, has died at age 92.

Sen. John Hickenlooper, a Colorado Democrat, said the former senator died Tuesday afternoon.

“He was a master jeweler with a reputation far beyond the boundaries of Colorado. He was always generous to me with his time and wisdom. I will not forget his acts of kindness,” Hickenlooper posted on X. “He will be sorely missed.”

Campbell, who was the only Native American serving in Congress during his tenure, was first elected to the House in 1986, representing western Colorado. He served three terms in the House before being elected to the Senate, also as a Democrat.

“From my time as a staffer, working on ALP, AVC, Sand Dunes, and more, to seeking his advice and counsel in Congress, Sen. Campbell was gracious and kind, always willing to lend an ear and sound advice. Thank you for giving so much to us all – our state and nation will miss you,” former Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., posted on X.

In March 1995, shortly after Republicans took control of majorities in Congress, Campbell announced that he would be joining the Republican Party. His statement came the day after he voted for a balanced-budget constitutional amendment that failed to win Senate passage; he decided he no longer was comfortable calling himself a Democrat.

The switch infuriated Democrats, but on announcing his new party affiliation, Campbell underscored that he would continue on an independent course.

“I have always been considered a moderate, much to the consternation of the Democratic Party,” Campbell said. “My moderacy will now be to the consternation of the right wing of the Republican Party.”

In the Senate, Campbell served as chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee and rose to be a senior appropriator, including chairing the subcommittee that had jurisdiction over the Treasury Department and the Postal Service. He also chaired the Legislative Branch subcommittee during part of the battle over the construction of the Capitol Visitor Center.

A member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, Campbell was also an Air Force veteran who served in Korea and captain of the U.S. Olympic Judo Team that competed in Tokyo in 1964.

“Senator Campbell dedicated his life to public service, representing Colorado in both the U.S. House and Senate and becoming one of the few Native Americans ever elected to the United States Senate,” the Colorado Republican Party posted on X. “He was a decorated Air Force veteran, a champion for Native American communities, and a respected voice for Colorado on the national stage.”

Campbell said in 2004 that he would not seek reelection to the Senate, an announcement that was exactly nine years after his party switch.