Ben Nighthorse Campbell, the former United States Senator and Representative for Colorado renowned for his advocacy of Native American rights and his career as a master jeweller, has died at the age of 92.
His daughter, Shanan Campbell, confirmed he passed away from natural causes on Tuesday, surrounded by his family.
A Political Maverick and Cultural Icon
Campbell was a distinctive figure in Washington, instantly recognisable for his cowboy boots, bolo ties, and ponytail. A member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, his political journey was as unconventional as his style. He served three terms in the House of Representatives from 1987 before being elected to the Senate, where he served two terms from 1993 to 2005.
His political identity was complex. Originally elected as a Democrat, he stunned the political establishment by switching to the Republican Party in March 1995. He cited anger at Democrats for killing a balanced-budget amendment as the catalyst. The move was seen as a major coup for the GOP and cemented his reputation as a true maverick.
"I get hammered from the extremes," he said at the time. "I'm always willing to listen... but I just don't think you can be all things to all people, no matter which party you're in."
From Accidental Politician to Capitol Hill
Campbell often described his entry into politics as an accident. In 1982, bad weather grounded a flight to California where he was due to deliver his jewellery. Killing time in Durango, Colorado, he attended a local Democratic meeting to give a speech for a friend.
Party officials, seeking a candidate, sounded him out. "Like a fish, I was hooked," he later recalled. He defeated a favoured opponent by campaigning tirelessly door-to-door, a method he used throughout his career. He never lost an election, moving from the Colorado House to the U.S. House and finally to the Senate.
Among his key legislative achievements was helping to sponsor the legislation that upgraded Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Monument to a national park.
A Life of Diverse Passions and Legacy
Born in Auburn, California, on 13 April 1933, Campbell's life was marked by extraordinary variety. He served in the US Air Force in Korea, was captain of the US judo team at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and won a gold medal at the Pan American Games.
After a health scare, he chose not to seek a third Senate term in 2004, retiring to focus on his craft. His Native American jewellery made him wealthy and is displayed at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian.
Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper paid tribute, stating on X: "He was a master jeweler with a reputation far beyond the boundaries of Colorado. I will not forget his acts of kindness. He will be sorely missed."
Campbell insisted his core principles never changed with his party affiliation, maintaining a record supportive of labour, minority, and women's issues. He attributed his values to his difficult childhood, which included time in an orphanage.
He is survived by his family and leaves a legacy as a unique bridge between cultures and political ideologies, remembered as much for his artistry as his service.
