Campbell Will Not Seek Re-Election
Gov. Owens Expected To Run For Senate Seat
POSTED: 11:10 a.m. MST March 3, 2004
UPDATED: 2:21 p.m. MST March 3, 2004
DENVER -- Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell said Wednesday that he is not seeking re-election this November, shocking a lot of political analysts in the state.
Campbell issued a statement saying that, after a great deal of
soul searching and reflection, he has decided not to run for a third term in the United States Senate.
"I am honored to represent the people of Colorado for the past 22 years and I know that there is no greater job than to serve my fellow citizens in the U.S. Senate, but I feel the time has come to pass that duty on to another and return to my ranch with my family that I love," he said.
The 70-year-old Colorado Republican acknowledged his health played a role in his decision. He said after spending another night in the hospital for a recent health scare, he realized his deterioriating health could hamper his ability to serve.
He was hospitalized last Thursday for acid reflux and a spasm of the esophagus, which can mimic a heart attack.
Campbell has faced questions about his health since last year, when he admitted that he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. But Campbell, the only American Indian in the Senate, had assured constituents as recently as last week that he was running for re-election.
"Doctors have assured me that after treatment for prostate cancer, the recovery rate is 98 percent. But I believe Coloradans deserve a 100 percent guarantee of service," he said Wednesday.
"Ben Nighthorse Campbell is a Colorado legend. He has served the people
of Colorado tirelessly for more than two decades," Gov. Bill Owens said in a release Wednesday. "Since I became governor, I have turned to Sen. Campbell to help our state with projects from transportation to higher education to our defense
and aerospace industries. He has never let Colorado down. He has left his mark on Colorado and our country in countless ways, and
has improved the lives of families all across America."
Many political analysts believe that Owens will run for his seat, 7NEWS reported.
Owens is term-limited and would be a strong and viable candidate, political analysts said.
"All bets are off now," said Katy Atkinson, a Republican analyst. "All the people who said they weren't going to run will reassess (running)."
Campbell's retirement gives Democrats an open seat to target in the coming fall campaign now that they no longer have to run
against a strong incumbent.
State Democratic Party chairman Chris Gates called it a "beautiful day."
Republicans hold a majority of 51-48 with one
Democrat-leaning independent. The GOP hopes to pad its majority by
winning some or all of a string of Southern seats where Democrats
are retiring.
"You'll see very rapidly the national party getting involved in looking over the
field. It's going to be a very rapid movement because the seat is
now at risk," said Floyd Ciruli, and independent political consultant and
Denver pollster.
Campbell was first elected to the Senate in 1992 as a Democrat,
then switched parties three years later. He is the chair of the Indian Affairs Committee, and sits on the Appropriations, Energy and Natural Resources and Veterans' Affairs committees.
A Northern Cheyenne tribal chief, he cuts a distinctive figure
in the Capitol, sporting a ponytail and ornate jewelry and
eschewing neckties in favor of string ties.
"Colorado and the nation are going to lose a great champion in the U.S. Senate," said fellow Sen. Wayne Allard. "I am deeply disappointed in Ben's decision, but understand his desire to return to Colorado after twelve highly successful years in the U.S. Senate . The Senate will miss his leadership on Native American and criminal justice issues. I have no doubt that Sen. Campbell will continue to build his legacy of service to the people of Colorado in the Jeffersonian ideal of public service."
The Democrats have had trouble finding a big-name candidate to
challenge Campbell. Former Sen. Gary Hart and Rep. Mark Udall both
declined to run, leaving the party with wealthy think-tank founder
Rutt Bridges, little-known attorneys Brad Freedberg and Larry
Johnson, and educator Mike Miles.
"Sen. Campbell has been a faithful public servant to the
people of Colorado for 22 years and he should be proud of his
distinguished career. Now is the time for Colorado to have a fresh
face in Washington," said Bridges.
Campbell said he will finish his term and will support the next Republican candidate. He also said he will be campaigning for President George W. Bush and the GOP ticket during the next eight months.
Campbell had spent
weeks promising to mount a vigorous campaign. He even put together
a recent statewide tour and just Tuesday leveled a blast at one of
the four Democrats seeking to replace him.
Campbell's office was rocked last month when it was alleged that
a longtime aide had been taking kickbacks. The senator reported the
matter to the Senate ethics committee.
At issue are allegations from former staffer Brian Thompson. He
claims chief of staff Ginnie Kontnik gave him bonuses with an
understanding that he would return $2,000 to her so she could pay a
lawyer handling her divorce.
Campbell said he knew Thompson was receiving bonuses, but if
money was given back to Kontnik, it happened without his knowledge.
Additional Resources
Campbell issued a statement saying that, after a great deal of
soul searching and reflection, he has decided not to run for a third term in the United States Senate.
"I am honored to represent the people of Colorado for the past 22 years and I know that there is no greater job than to serve my fellow citizens in the U.S. Senate, but I feel the time has come to pass that duty on to another and return to my ranch with my family that I love," he said.
The 70-year-old Colorado Republican acknowledged his health played a role in his decision. He said after spending another night in the hospital for a recent health scare, he realized his deterioriating health could hamper his ability to serve.
He was hospitalized last Thursday for acid reflux and a spasm of the esophagus, which can mimic a heart attack.
Campbell has faced questions about his health since last year, when he admitted that he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. But Campbell, the only American Indian in the Senate, had assured constituents as recently as last week that he was running for re-election.
"Doctors have assured me that after treatment for prostate cancer, the recovery rate is 98 percent. But I believe Coloradans deserve a 100 percent guarantee of service," he said Wednesday.
"Ben Nighthorse Campbell is a Colorado legend. He has served the people
of Colorado tirelessly for more than two decades," Gov. Bill Owens said in a release Wednesday. "Since I became governor, I have turned to Sen. Campbell to help our state with projects from transportation to higher education to our defense
and aerospace industries. He has never let Colorado down. He has left his mark on Colorado and our country in countless ways, and
has improved the lives of families all across America."
Many political analysts believe that Owens will run for his seat, 7NEWS reported.
Owens is term-limited and would be a strong and viable candidate, political analysts said.
"All bets are off now," said Katy Atkinson, a Republican analyst. "All the people who said they weren't going to run will reassess (running)."
Campbell's retirement gives Democrats an open seat to target in the coming fall campaign now that they no longer have to run
against a strong incumbent.
State Democratic Party chairman Chris Gates called it a "beautiful day."
Republicans hold a majority of 51-48 with one
Democrat-leaning independent. The GOP hopes to pad its majority by
winning some or all of a string of Southern seats where Democrats
are retiring.
"You'll see very rapidly the national party getting involved in looking over the
field. It's going to be a very rapid movement because the seat is
now at risk," said Floyd Ciruli, and independent political consultant and
Denver pollster.
Campbell was first elected to the Senate in 1992 as a Democrat,
then switched parties three years later. He is the chair of the Indian Affairs Committee, and sits on the Appropriations, Energy and Natural Resources and Veterans' Affairs committees.
A Northern Cheyenne tribal chief, he cuts a distinctive figure
in the Capitol, sporting a ponytail and ornate jewelry and
eschewing neckties in favor of string ties.
"Colorado and the nation are going to lose a great champion in the U.S. Senate," said fellow Sen. Wayne Allard. "I am deeply disappointed in Ben's decision, but understand his desire to return to Colorado after twelve highly successful years in the U.S. Senate . The Senate will miss his leadership on Native American and criminal justice issues. I have no doubt that Sen. Campbell will continue to build his legacy of service to the people of Colorado in the Jeffersonian ideal of public service."
The Democrats have had trouble finding a big-name candidate to
challenge Campbell. Former Sen. Gary Hart and Rep. Mark Udall both
declined to run, leaving the party with wealthy think-tank founder
Rutt Bridges, little-known attorneys Brad Freedberg and Larry
Johnson, and educator Mike Miles.
"Sen. Campbell has been a faithful public servant to the
people of Colorado for 22 years and he should be proud of his
distinguished career. Now is the time for Colorado to have a fresh
face in Washington," said Bridges.
Campbell said he will finish his term and will support the next Republican candidate. He also said he will be campaigning for President George W. Bush and the GOP ticket during the next eight months.
Campbell had spent
weeks promising to mount a vigorous campaign. He even put together
a recent statewide tour and just Tuesday leveled a blast at one of
the four Democrats seeking to replace him.
Campbell's office was rocked last month when it was alleged that
a longtime aide had been taking kickbacks. The senator reported the
matter to the Senate ethics committee.
At issue are allegations from former staffer Brian Thompson. He
claims chief of staff Ginnie Kontnik gave him bonuses with an
understanding that he would return $2,000 to her so she could pay a
lawyer handling her divorce.
Campbell said he knew Thompson was receiving bonuses, but if
money was given back to Kontnik, it happened without his knowledge.
Additional Resources
-
Read Campbell's Bio
Campbell's Web site Rutt Bridge's Web site Mike Miles's Web site Brad Freedberg's Web site Larry Johnson's Web site
Previous Stories:
- February 26, 2004: Nighthorse Campbell Has Medical Scare
- February 22, 2004: Sen. Campbell's Staffer Accused Of Kickback
- February 20, 2004: CU Scandal May Prompt Congressional Scrutiny, Campbell Says
Copyright 2004 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
