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Colorado's Sen. Campbell wins 1st election as a Republican
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Ben Nighthorse Campbell
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Former Democrat overcomes GOP reluctance
(AllPolitics, November 3) -- Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell won his first general election Tuesday as a Republican, defeating former newspaper columnist Dottie Lamm, wife of former Colorado Gov. Dick Lamm.
In March 1995, Campbell, the only Native-American senator, switched parties and became a Republican. He had been leading in the polls by some 21 points despite continued skepticism among some Republicans and remaining animosity from Democrats.
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Dottie Lamm
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Lamm, who had the money and support of the Democratic Party establishment, defeated state Rep. Gil Romero, 58 percent to 42 percent, to gain the Democratic nomination. During her campaign against Campbell, Lamm criticized what she described as his inconsistent agenda, vacillating positions since switching parties and attendance record.
But as in other states, a Democratic dynasty that included the likes of Lamm, Tim Wirth, Pat Schroeder and Roy Romer has given way to a period of Republican dominance.
In 1996, Democrat Tom Strickland was foiled by then-Rep. now-Sen. Wayne Allard.
The Democratic party had seemed invincible when Campbell was first elected in 1992 -- that is, before he defected to the GOP.
Campbell, 65, turned back a more conservative primary challenger, capturing 70 percent of the vote to lawyer Bill Eggert's 30 percent. He had no trouble beating Eggert, who built his campaign around opposition to abortion and gun control.
Political analyst Stuart Rothenberg and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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