Ben Nighthorse Campbell

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Ben Nighthorse Campbell – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life of Ben Nighthorse Campbell — Olympic judoka, jewelry artist, and U.S. Senator of Northern Cheyenne descent. Discover his biography, political journey, achievements, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Ben Nighthorse Campbell (born April 13, 1933) is a remarkable American figure whose life spans sport, art, public service, and advocacy. A former Olympic judoka, a celebrated Native American jewelry designer, and a longtime U.S. Senator from Colorado, Campbell’s story is one of resilience, cultural identity, and commitment to bridging worlds. He was the first Native American in Congress during his time and remains a symbol of Indigenous representation in U.S. politics.

In this article, we dive into his origins, athletic and artistic pursuits, political career (including party switch), key legislation, post-Senate life, and a selection of his notable quotes.

Early Life and Family

Ben Campbell was born Benny Marshall Campbell on April 13, 1933, in Auburn, California.
He is of Northern Cheyenne descent on his father’s side and Portuguese descent on his mother’s side.

His mother, Mary Vierra (Vieira), had immigrated from Portugal at a young age and later contracted tuberculosis, which constrained her ability to care for her children.
His father, Albert Campbell, struggled with alcoholism and spent periods away from the family.

Because of illness and family instability, Ben and his sister spent much of their childhood in Catholic orphanages in the Sacramento area.

Campbell attended Placer High School but dropped out in 1951 to enlist in the U.S. Air Force.

Military Service, Education & Athletic Beginnings

Air Force & Korean War

Between 1951 and 1953, Campbell served in the Air Force during the Korean War as an air policeman / airman, earning the Korean Service Medal and Air Medal.
While in service, he earned his GED.

College & Judo Training

After military service, Campbell used the G.I. Bill to attend San Jose State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in physical education and fine arts by 1957.
He also studied in Japan at Meiji University from about 1960 to 1964, where he trained in judo and refined his competitive skill.

He became a multiple U.S. national judo champion (1961-1963) and won a gold medal at the 1963 Pan-American Games.
He competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in judo, finishing in the open category (he broke an ankle during training, which affected his performance).
He was the first Native American to be on the U.S. Olympic judo team.

Jewelry, Art & Early Career

After returning from Japan, Campbell turned to jewelry design and silversmithing. He learned the craft from his father and experimented with flattening silver dollars, combining traditional Native techniques with innovative methods he picked up abroad.
Under the name Ben Nighthorse, he won over 200 national and international awards and was recognized in publications and exhibitions for his unique style.
He also worked as a deputy sheriff, coached judo, and taught high school (physical education and art).

In 1978, he and his wife (Linda Price, whom he married in 1966) purchased a ranch near Ignacio, Colorado, on the Southern Ute reservation.

Political Career

Entry into State Politics

In 1982, Campbell was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives (District 59) as a Democrat.
He served two terms there (1983–1987).

U.S. House of Representatives

In 1986, Campbell ran for U.S. House from Colorado’s 3rd District, defeating incumbent Michael Strang, and took office in January 1987.
He served three terms in the House (1987–1993).
While in the House, Campbell sponsored (among others) legislation to establish the National Museum of the American Indian.

U.S. Senate

In 1992 he ran for the U.S. Senate seat from Colorado, won the Democratic primary and general election, and took office on January 3, 1993.
During his Senate tenure, he was the only Native American in Congress.

In March 1995, Campbell made the notable decision to switch political parties, leaving the Democrats to join the Republican Party. He cited policy differences—especially his long-standing support for the balanced budget amendment—and friction with Colorado Democrats.

In 1998, he was reelected as a Republican by a landslide, earning about 62.49% of the vote against Democratic challenger Dottie Lamm.

During his Senate career, Campbell chaired the Senate Indian Affairs Committee (2003–2005).

He also was involved in various high-profile issues:

• He voted to convict President Bill Clinton during impeachment (though the Senate as a whole acquitted).

• He supported Roe v. Wade initially, but over time adopted more conservative positions (e.g. on abortion).

• On same-sex marriage, he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act but opposed making discrimination via constitutional amendment.

In March 2004, Campbell announced he would not seek re-election (citing health concerns, including prostate cancer). He formally left the Senate on January 3, 2005.

He was the last Republican to hold that Colorado Senate seat (Class 3) until his successor seat was won by Democrat Ken Salazar.

Later Life & Legacy

After leaving Congress, Campbell joined the Holland & Knight law/lobbying firm as a senior policy advisor.
In 2012 he left to found Ben Nighthorse Consultants, his own lobbying firm.

He continues his passion for jewelry arts, designing and exhibiting pieces under his “Ben Nighthorse” name.

Several honors have been bestowed upon him:

• Lake Nighthorse in La Plata County, Colorado, is named in his honor.

• In 2011, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by Japan.

• In 2021, he was inducted into the National Native American Hall of Fame.

Campbell remains a member of the Council of Chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.

He has also been involved in public commentary on political issues: e.g. later expressing regret for his vote supporting the Iraq War and defending aspects of his party switch.

Themes, Values & Influence

1. Cultural Identity & Representation
   Throughout his life, Campbell centered his Northern Cheyenne heritage. His name “Nighthorse” comes from Cheyenne naming traditions, linking him to ancestral lineage.
   He brought Native American concerns—sovereignty, water rights, tribal governments—into national politics, especially via the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

2. Multifaceted Life: Sport, Art, & Public Service
   Few U.S. Senators have Olympic pedigrees. Campbell’s athletics and art enriched his public persona and lent credibility to his holistic approach to life.

3. Political Independence & Moderation
   His party switch highlights his willingness to break from party lines. He often positioned himself as a moderate, pragmatic politician—willing to work across aisles.

4. Resilience & Reinvention
   From difficult childhood circumstances to military service, sporting setbacks, and political controversy, Campbell repeatedly adapted and persisted.

Famous Quotes by Ben Nighthorse Campbell

Here are several memorable and representative quotes attributed to Campbell:

“There is but one secret to success: never give up.”

“Indians were here first – it’s about time. We’re way behind the African Americans and Hispanic Americans in getting politically involved, but we’re beginning to take a page out of their notebook.”

“You have to talk to the stone, and it has to talk to you.”

“The president, just as any other American, deserves a legal defense against personal lawsuits not related to his office. But the costs of that defense should be borne by him and not the taxpayer.”

“I voted for the Defense of Marriage Act but I do not believe we should institutionalize a form of discrimination against any minority by amending the Constitution.”

“A lot of senators are so worried about convention and how they look that they wouldn’t let their hair down if they had any.”

These encapsulate his blend of political pragmatism, cultural advocacy, and occasional wit.

Lessons from Ben Nighthorse Campbell

1. Don’t Let Origins Define Limits
   Campbell’s early life was marked by adversity—poverty, illness in his family, time in orphanages. Yet he built a multifaceted life across athletics, art, and public service.

2. Bridge Worlds
   He navigated between Native American communities and U.S. mainstream politics, between artistic traditions and legislative pragmatism.

3. Be Willing to Change Course
   His party switch demonstrates that integrity sometimes demands recalibration. He prioritized principles over loyalty to labels.

4. Champion Underrepresented Voices
   As one of the few Native Americans in Congress during his time, Campbell showed the importance of representation, visibility, and persistence.

5. Legacy beyond Office
   His work in art, culture, and mentorship continues beyond his time in Washington, showing that public service can persist across domains.

Conclusion

Ben Nighthorse Campbell’s life is a powerful narrative of intersection: Indigenous identity, athletic achievement, artistic expression, and political service. From Olympic judo mats to the Senate floor, from silversmith benches to the halls of legislation, he has carried a vision of bridging divides and amplifying Native voices.