Former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado died on Tuesday at the age of 92. (AP)
The first Native American to serve in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, Campbell was known for his passionate advocacy of Native American issues as well as his dress attire, which included cowboy boots, bolo ties and a ponytail.
He was a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe and said his ancestors were among more than 150 Native Americans, mostly women, children and elderly men, killed by U.S. soldiers while camped under a flag of truce on Nov. 29, 1864. He helped sponsor legislation to upgrade the Great Sand Dunes National Monument in southern Colorado, where the killings happened, to a national park.
Campbell was also a strong supporter of children's rights, organized labor and fiscal conservatism.
A renowned master jeweler, Campbell has designs displayed at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian.
"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," Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, said on X.
Colorado Democrat Gov. Jared Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Campbell's service.
"He will be missed here in Colorado and across the country, and his contributions leave a lasting legacy to our state and nation," Polis said on X.
Former Colorado Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell was the first Native American to serve in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. (AP)
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Although he switched to the Republican Party in March 1995 after becoming angry with Democrats for killing a balanced-budget amendment in the Senate, Campbell said his principles never changed.
"It didn’t change me. I didn’t change my voting record. For instance, I had a sterling voting record as a Democrat on labor. I still do as a Republican. And on minorities and women’s issues," he once said.
A social liberal and fiscal conservative, Campbell's party switch outraged Democrat leaders.
"I get hammered from the extremes," he said shortly after the switch. "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."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/former-colorado-sen-ben-nighthorse-campbell-dead-92