BenCampbell (he added "Nighthorse" as an adult) was born in Auburn, California, on April 13, 1933, to Mary Vierra, a Portuguese immigrant, and Albert Campbell, a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe.
Campbell's father was an alcoholic who failed to support the family, and his mother was often too sick to take care of and support the children.
Campbell served the remainder of his first six-year term as a Republican and was reelected for a second term in 1998, after running as a Republican.