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Ben Ray Luján

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Article Genealogy
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Ben Ray Luján
NameBen Ray Luján
StateNew Mexico
Jr/srUnited States Senator
AlongsideMartin Heinrich
Term startJanuary 3, 2021
PredecessorTom Udall
State1New Mexico
District13rd
Term start1January 3, 2009
Term end1January 3, 2021
Predecessor1Tom Udall
Successor1Teresa Leger Fernandez
Office2Assistant Speaker of the House
Term start2January 3, 2019
Term end2January 3, 2021
Speaker2Nancy Pelosi
Predecessor2Position established
Successor2Katherine Clark
Office3Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Term start3January 3, 2015
Term end3January 3, 2019
Leader3Nancy Pelosi
Predecessor3Steve Israel
Successor3Cheri Bustos
PartyDemocratic
Alma materNew Mexico Highlands University (BBA)
Birth date7 June 1972
Birth placeSanta Fe, New Mexico, U.S.

Ben Ray Luján is an American politician serving as the junior United States senator from New Mexico since 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2021, where he rose to become the Assistant Speaker of the House. He is the first Latino to represent New Mexico in the U.S. Senate.

Early life and education

Born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he is the son of longtime New Mexico House Speaker Ben Luján. He attended Pojoaque Valley High School before earning a Bachelor of Business Administration from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. His early career included work as a senior field representative for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and as a consumer and family advocate for the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.

Early political career

His initial foray into politics began with his election to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission in 2004, where he served as chairman. In this role, he oversaw utilities, telecommunications, and insurance matters for the state. His work on the commission, particularly advocating for consumer protections and renewable energy standards, established his profile and led to his successful campaign for the United States House of Representatives in 2008.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elected in 2008, he succeeded fellow Democrat Tom Udall in representing the vast 3rd district, which encompasses northern New Mexico and includes Santa Fe and Taos. He served on the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee, focusing on issues like broadband access, healthcare, and energy policy. In 2015, House Democratic Caucus leadership selected him to chair the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a position he held for two election cycles. In 2019, Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed him to the newly created role of Assistant Speaker, making him the highest-ranking Latino in congressional leadership at the time.

U.S. Senate

In 2020, he announced his candidacy for the United States Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Tom Udall. He won the Democratic primary and defeated Republican nominee Mark Ronchetti in the general election. Upon taking office in 2021, he was assigned to several Senate committees, including the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Indian Affairs, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. In 2022, he underwent surgery to treat a stroke he suffered, returning to the United States Capitol after a month of recovery.

Political positions

A progressive Democrat, he is a strong advocate for the Affordable Care Act and has supported legislation to lower prescription drug costs. He has championed investments in clean energy and infrastructure, including provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. On technology policy, he has worked on issues related to net neutrality and expanding broadband access in rural communities. He has also been a vocal supporter of tribal sovereignty and federal funding for Native American programs, reflecting the significant tribal populations in his state.

Personal life

He is unmarried and resides in Nambé, New Mexico. He is a Roman Catholic and is an avid fan of the University of New Mexico Lobos athletics programs. His father, Ben Luján, served for over three decades in the New Mexico House of Representatives, including as Speaker.

Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:United States senators from New Mexico Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives Category:New Mexico Democrats Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from New Mexico Category:Hispanic and Latino American politicians