Ben Nighthorse Campbell touted for Interior

By M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News
March 14, 2006

WASHINGTON — Old friends are recommending former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell as a possible replacement to outgoing Interior Secretary Gale Norton.

Today Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Loveland, plans to send a letter to President Bush asking him to consider Campbell, whose selection could make history because it would make him the first American Indian to head the agency that oversees tribal issues and vast tracts of federal lands.

Campbell could not immediately be reached for comment. The White House does not comment on pending nominations until final decisions are made, a spokesman said.

Longtime Campbell adviser Dave Devendorf said the Senator started getting encouraging calls from former colleagues since shortly after Norton made her announcement on Friday.

"Some of Ben's former colleagues called him over the weekend saying they'd just like to see him in that position," Devendorf said today. "The White House makes their own decisions. I'm sure they probably already have an idea of who they're going with."

Campbell, who turns 73 next month, retired from the U.S. Senate at the end of 2004 and now works for the lobbying firm Holland & Knight, helping to improve its contacts with Indian tribes.

He was one of the more colorful figures ever to serve in congress, bringing an eclectic resume as a Korean War veteran, Olympic judo contender, jewelry designer, horse trainer, truck driver and honorary chief from the Northern Cheyenne tribe.

After President Bush won the 2000 election, Campbell was often mentioned as a possible Interior Secretary candidate before Norton's nomination. His chances might have been hurt by the Republican Party's hesitance to pick a sitting Senator, which would put a seat up for grabs.

Allard chief of staff Sean Conway said on Friday that it would send a symbolic message if Campbell were selected to head the department.

"The fact that the president could appoint the first Native American Secretary of Interior, from a historic standpoint, I think has interest down at the White House," Conway said.

"My understanding right now is he is one of the folks being considered," Conway said.