A fiscally conservative Democrat, a pro-choice Republican and, above all, an advocate for Colorado and tribal interests: Ben Nighthorse Campbell left behind a political legacy that many say transcended party lines.
Campbell’s midterm switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party was, at the time, a jolt to the political landscape. But for the many who gathered at his memorial service on Thursday, including former staffers, elected officials and constituents, party affiliation is not what defined him.
“We voted for him every time,” said Elaine Moravan, speaking for her and her husband, Michael Moravan. Though the Durango couple remain registered Democrats, they said Campbell consistently earned their support because, “he really cared what people’s needs were in Colorado.”
U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, who now holds the same seat Campbell once represented before his Senate tenure, pointed to the complexity of Campbell’s legislative achievements.
His work on Indian gaming, Hurd said, was “exceptionally difficult and impressive,” as was his role in advancing the Animas-La Plata Project.
“When it comes to the politics of water in the West, those sorts of projects are difficult to organize support for,” Hurd said, noting the added challenge of building consensus across a largely rural region.
Former U.S. Sen. Corey Gardner, who was elected to Congress while Campbell was still in office, said he first met Campbell as a young Senate staffer and later developed a working relationship with him while serving in Congress.
As a junior lawmaker, Gardner said Campbell was “gracious in his help and support,” and often served as a sounding board for Gardner and a support system who intimately understood the challenges of federal office.
Being able to work with both political parties was in large part due to Campbell’s infectious personality, Gardener said.
“He was larger than life and just had a commanding presence,” Gardner said. “It wasn’t overwhelming, it wasn’t abrasive. He just wore it incredibly well.”
That fondness for Campbell was echoed by many of Campbell’s former Senate staffers, several of whom became emotional as they reflected on their time working for him.
“He was the best person ever,” said Katie Aggeler, who worked in Campbell’s Western Slope Office. “It’s going to make me cry.”
George Rossman, another staffer in the Western Slope Office, chimed in, adding, “We always say there should be about 100 Ben Campbell’s in the Senate.”
For Alton Dillard, Campbell’s former deputy press secretary, the relationship was life-changing. Dillard first met Campbell while working as a $5 “rent-a-bus” driver. After Campbell was elected to the Senate, he offered Dillard a job – one Dillard kept even after the senator changed party affiliation.
“(Leaving) wasn’t even a question. We were there to serve the people of Colorado,” Dillard said.
One staffer recalled a trip he took with Campbell on Air Force 2 to countries in Africa, where unlike others, Campbell refused to take the “wine and cheese” tour, and instead spent the majority of his time out in “the brush and the shanty towns.”
“It really embodied that true, Western individualism,” he said.
While some seemed to suggest Campbell was operating in a bygone political era, Hurd said he believes effective bipartisan work can continue, even in an era defined by political polarization.
“He does leave a legacy of serious bipartisan work, and I’m motivated to continue that in Congress,” Hurd said.
Reader Comments