Ben Nighthorse Campbell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Campbell, c. 1997
Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by	Daniel Inouye
Succeeded by	John McCain
In office January 3, 2001 – June 6, 2001
Preceded by	John McCain
Succeeded by	Daniel Inouye
United States Senator from Colorado
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by	Tim Wirth
Succeeded by	Ken Salazar
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 3rd district
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	Michael Strang
Succeeded by	Scott McInnis
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 59th district
In office January 1983 – January 1987
Preceded by	Robert E. DeNier
Succeeded by	Jim E. Dyer
Personal details
Born	Benny Marshall Campbell (1933-04-13) April 13, 1933 (age 92) Auburn, California, U.S.
Nationality	American Northern Cheyenne
Political party	Republican (since 1995)
Other political affiliations	Democratic (until 1995)
Spouse	Linda Price
Children	2
Education	San Jose State University (BA) Meiji University
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Service years	1951–1953
Rank	Airman First Class E-4
Conflict	Korean War
Awards	Korean Service Medal Air Medal
Medal record Men's judo Representing the  United States Pan American Games Gold 1963 São Paulo Open

Ben Nighthorse Campbell (born Benny Marshall Campbell; April 13, 1933) is an American politician and a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe. He is also a veteran of the United States Air Force. Campbell served in both parts of the United States Congress. He represented Colorado in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987 to 1993. Later, he served in the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 2005.

He is one of 44 members of the Council of Chiefs for the Northern Cheyenne Indian Tribe. For a long time, he was the only Native American serving in Congress. He was the last Native American elected to the U.S. Senate until 2022.

Campbell first belonged to the Democratic Party. However, he changed to the Republican Party in March 1995. He was reelected to the Senate in 1998. In 2004, he decided not to run for a third term. After leaving Congress, he worked as a lobbyist. He also started his own lobbying firm called Ben Nighthorse Consultants.

Early Life and Family

Benny Campbell was born in Auburn, California. His mother, Mary Vierra, was an immigrant from Portugal. She came to the U.S. through Ellis Island when she was six. His mother often had to stay in the hospital for long periods. This was because she had a serious illness called tuberculosis.

His father, Albert Campbell, was mostly of Northern Cheyenne descent. Ben and his sister spent parts of their childhood in Catholic orphanages. When he was young, Ben learned the Japanese martial art of judo. He learned it from Japanese families he met while working in farm fields.

Military Service and Education

Campbell left Placer High School in 1951 to join the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Korea during the Korean War. He worked as an air policeman. He left the Air Force in 1953. He earned the rank of Airman Second Class. He also received the Korean Service Medal and the Air Medal.

While in the Air Force, Campbell earned his high school diploma. After his military service, he used the G.I. Bill to go to college. He attended San Jose State University. He graduated in 1957 with a degree in physical education and fine arts. He later studied at Meiji University in Tokyo, Japan. He was given the name "Nighthorse" during a special ceremony on the Northern Cheyenne reservation. This name came from his father's family, Blackhorse.

Career Highlights

Sports Achievements

In college, Campbell was part of the San Jose State judo team. He trained for the Olympic Games. He also studied at Meiji University in Tokyo, Japan, from 1960 to 1964. The Meiji team was very famous. Campbell said their training helped him win many awards.

He won U.S. National judo titles in 1961, 1962, and 1963. He also won a gold medal in the 1963 Pan-American Games. In 1964, Campbell competed in judo at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He was the first Native American to be on the U.S. Olympic judo team. He got an injury and did not win a medal.

After the Olympics, Campbell worked as a deputy sheriff. He also coached the U.S. national judo team. He ran his own judo school and taught high school classes. He and his wife also raised horses. In 1978, they bought a ranch in Ignacio, Colorado.

Jewelry Design

Ben Nighthorse Campbell learned to make jewelry from his father. He used special techniques, including some from Japanese sword makers. He won over 200 national and international awards for his jewelry designs. He used the name Ben Nighthorse for his work. His jewelry has been featured in magazines. His art is also displayed with the Art of the Olympians organization.

Political Career

Campbell began his political career in Colorado. He was elected to the Colorado State Legislature as a Democrat in 1982. He served two terms. His colleagues recognized him as one of the top legislators.

Serving in Congress

Campbell's congressional photograph (1991).

In 1986, Campbell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He won against the person who held the seat before him. He was reelected twice. In 1989, he wrote a bill to create the National Museum of the American Indian. This bill became a law.

Serving in the Senate

In 1992, Campbell ran for the United States Senate. He won the Democratic primary election. He then defeated his Republican opponent in the general election. He was the first Native American elected to the U.S. Senate since the 1920s.

In March 1995, Campbell changed his political party. He switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. He said this was because the Senate did not pass a balanced-budget amendment. He had strongly supported this amendment.

In 1998, Campbell was reelected to the Senate. He won by a very large margin. He was seen as a moderate Republican. During his time in the Senate, he became the first American Indian to lead the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. This committee focuses on issues important to Native American tribes.

Campbell with President George W. Bush (2004).

Campbell decided not to run for reelection in 2004. He had some health concerns at the time. He retired from office in January 2005. He later said he did not want to "die in this place." He is the last Republican to be elected to his specific Senate seat from Colorado.

After Congress

Campbell, together with Chickasaw Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) and other government officials listening to a speech by then-president Barack Obama (December 2010).

After retiring from Congress, Campbell worked as a senior advisor at a law firm. In 2012, he started his own lobbying firm, Ben Nighthorse Consultants. He also continues to design and create his American Indian jewelry.

A large reservoir in Colorado, Lake Nighthorse, was completed in 2011. It is named in his honor. Campbell is also a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One. This group works to improve government.

Retired senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, along with his daughter Shanan Campbell Wells, visiting the Santa Fe Indian Market in August 2015

In 2016, Campbell said he regretted his vote to support the Iraq War. He explained that he voted with the best information available at the time. However, he later realized the intelligence was not accurate. In 2018, he joined other former senators in supporting an investigation into the 2016 election. He later opposed the effort to remove President Donald Trump from office. He called it "a waste of time."

In 2020, Campbell spoke about his party switch. He also talked about supporting free enterprise for Native Americans. He expressed optimism that more Native people are running for office. In 2021 and 2022, he endorsed Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate in Colorado.

Personal Life

Campbell speaks at the commissioning of the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) in 2007

In 1966, Ben Nighthorse Campbell married Linda Price. She was a public school teacher from Colorado. They have two children and four grandchildren. Linda Campbell was the sponsor of the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) ship in 2005.

Honors and Awards

• Grand-Officer of the Order of Prince Henry, Portugal (1 June 1998)
• 2008: Awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom.
• 2011: Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon from the Japanese Emperor. This award recognized his work in promoting understanding between Japan and the United States.
• November 2021: Inducted into the National Native American Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, OK.

See also

In Spanish: Ben Nighthorse Campbell para niños

• List of American politicians who switched parties in office
• List of Native American artists
• List of Native Americans in the United States Congress
• List of Native American politicians
• Native American jewelry
• List of United States senators who switched parties