Ben Ray Luján

Democrat junior Senator of New Mexico

  • Senator

    New Mexico

    January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2027

8

Congresses Served

6

House Terms

1

Senate Terms

January 1, 1972 (52 years old)

Birthday

  • Has served as the junior United States senator from New Mexico since 2021.
  • Served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico’s 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2021.
  • Held the position of Assistant Speaker from 2019 to 2021.
  • Was a member and chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission from 2005 to 2008.
  • Chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) from 2014 to 2019, leading Democrats to win a House majority in 2018, becoming the first Hispanic to serve in this role.
  • Announced candidacy for the United States Senate in 2019 for the seat vacated by Tom Udall and won the election in 2020.
  • Advocated for health care reform, including a public option, and opposed troop increases in Afghanistan.
  • Co-sponsored the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in 2011.
  • Actively involved in environmental regulation, supporting renewable energy initiatives and the Green New Deal.
  • Supported education policies including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and student loan reform.
  • Advocated for increased funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service, and worked on legislation benefiting Native American communities.
  • Served on several committees in both the House and Senate, including the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry.
  • Opposed a ban on hydraulic fracturing in 2021.
  • Voted for a resolution to apply human rights provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act to U.S. aid to Israel’s military in 2024.
  • Experienced a major stroke in early 2022 but returned to work in the Senate, expecting a full recovery.
  • Raised in Nambe, New Mexico, and attended the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands University, earning a BBA degree.
  • His father was a longtime member of the New Mexico House of Representatives.