Ben Ray Luján
Ben Ray Luján (/luːˈhɑːn/ loo-HAHN;[2] born June 7, 1972) is an American politician who has served as the junior United States senator from New Mexico since 2021. He served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2021 and as Assistant Speaker[a] from 2019 to 2021. He served as a member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission from 2005 to 2008, where he also served as chairman.
Ben Ray Luján
Jim Clyburn (Assistant Democratic Leader)
Nancy Pelosi
Tom Udall
Jerome Block[1]
Jerome Block Jr.
June 7, 1972
Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
- Ben Luján (father)
Luján was selected as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in 2014 and led the Democrats to win a House majority in the 2018 elections. He was the first Hispanic to serve in this role.[3] In his role as assistant House Democratic leader, Luján was the highest-ranking Latino in Congress.
On April 1, 2019, Luján announced his intention to seek the United States Senate seat being vacated by two-term Democratic incumbent Tom Udall in the 2020 election.[4] He defeated Republican Mark Ronchetti in the general election on November 3, 2020[5][6] and took office on January 3, 2021.
Early life and education[edit]
Ben Ray Luján was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the last child of Carmen (Ray) and Ben Luján; he has two older sisters and an older brother. He was raised in Nambe, New Mexico.[7] His father, Ben, went into politics in 1970, when he was elected to the County Commission; from 1975, he was a longtime member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, serving as majority whip and Speaker of the House.[8]
After graduating from Pojoaque Valley High School in 1990,[9] Ben Ray Luján worked as a blackjack dealer at a tribal casino.[10] After that, he attended the University of New Mexico and received a BBA degree from New Mexico Highlands University.[11]
Early career[edit]
Public Regulation Commission[edit]
Luján was elected to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission in November 2004. He represented PRC district 3 which encompasses northeastern, north central and central New Mexico. His served as chairman of the PRC in 2005, 2006 and 2007. His term on the PRC ended at the end of 2008.[11] He helped to increase the Renewable Portfolio Standard in New Mexico that requires utilities to use 20 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. Luján also required utilities to diversify their renewable use to include solar, wind and biomass.[11]
Luján joined regulators in California, Oregon, and Washington to sign the Joint Action Framework on Climate Change to implement regional solutions to global warming.[12]
Personal life[edit]
Luján is a Catholic.[37]
On January 27, 2022, Luján was hospitalized in Santa Fe after feeling fatigued and dizzy. He was found to have had a stroke affecting his cerebellum and was transferred to the University of New Mexico Hospital for treatment, which included a decompressive craniectomy. A statement from his office said that "he is expected to make a full recovery".[38] Luján returned to work at the Senate on March 3 and stated by April 21 that he was 90% recovered.[33][39]