Ben Luján

Ben Ray Luján is a Democratic U.S. Senator from New Mexico, first elected to the Senate in 2020. Born on June 7, 1972, in Santa Fe and raised in the farming community of Nambé, he is the son of former New Mexico House Speaker Ben Luján. He attended the University of New Mexico and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from New Mexico Highlands University. His early career included roles as the Deputy State Treasurer of New Mexico and as the chief financial officer for the New Mexico Cultural Affairs Department. Luján was first elected to the U.S. Congress in 2008, representing New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District in the House of Representatives. During his time in the House, he served as the Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and rose to the rank of Assistant Speaker. Before his tenure in federal office, he served as the Chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, where he worked to implement renewable energy portfolio standards and overhaul the state's fire fund to support first responders. Since joining the Senate in 2021, Luján has focused on issues such as rural broadband expansion, environmental conservation, and support for New Mexico's national laboratories. He holds the distinction of being the first Head Start graduate to serve in the U.S. Senate and the first Hispanic individual to represent New Mexico in the chamber in over 40 years. He currently sits on the Committees on Finance; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Senator Luján advocates for healthcare as a human right, supporting the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid expansion, and a public option through his 'State Public Option Act.' He is a co-sponsor of 'Medicare for All' and supports allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. On the economy, he supports raising the federal minimum wage, closing the gender pay gap, and expanding rural broadband to spur local growth. His immigration platform focuses on comprehensive reform, including permanent protections for DACA recipients ('Dreamers') and TPS holders. Luján is a champion of climate action and a clean energy economy, having supported renewable energy standards and the preservation of New Mexico's public lands and national monuments.