Ben Ray Luján

Ben Ray Luján (/luːˈhɑːn/;[2] born June 7, 1972) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district since 2009 and Assistant House Democratic Leader (what the party leadership calls "Assistant Speaker") since 2019. 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
Assistant Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2019
Leader	Nancy Pelosi
Preceded by	Jim Clyburn
Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019
Leader	Nancy Pelosi
Preceded by	Steve Israel
Succeeded by	Cheri Bustos
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's 3rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Tom Udall
Member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission from the 3rd district
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Jerome D. Block[1]
Succeeded by	Jerome Block, Jr.
Personal details
Born	(1972-06-07) June 7, 1972 Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Parents	Ben Luján Carmen Ray
Education	New Mexico Highlands University (BBA)
Website	House website

Luján's district is based in Santa Fe, the state capital, and includes most of the northern portion of the state. In Congress, 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 the Assistant House Democratic Leader, Luján is 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]

Early life, education, and early career

Ben Ray Luján was born in Nambé, New Mexico, as the last child of Carmen and Ben Luján, and has two older sisters and an older brother. His father, Ben Luján, went into politics in 1970 when he was elected to the County Commission. From 1975, he was as a longtime member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, serving as Majority Whip and Speaker of the House.[5] His mother is a retired administrator with the Pojoaque Valley School System.

After graduating from Pojoaque Valley High School, he worked as a blackjack dealer a Lake Tahoe casino and a Northern New Mexico tribal casino.[6] After his stint as a dealer, he attended the University of New Mexico and later received a BBA degree from New Mexico Highlands University.[7] Luján has held several public service positions. He was the Deputy State Treasurer and the Director of Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer for the New Mexico Cultural Affairs Department prior to his election to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.

Public Regulation Commission

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.[7] 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.[7]

Luján joined regulators in California, Oregon, and Washington to sign the Joint Action Framework on Climate Change to implement regional solutions to global warming.[8]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2008

See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico

In 2008, Luján ran to succeed U.S. Representative Tom Udall in New Mexico's 3rd congressional district. Udall gave up the seat to make what would be a successful bid for the United States Senate. On June 3, 2008, Luján won the Democratic primary, defeating five other candidates. His closest competitor, developer Don Wiviott, received 26 percent to Luján's 42 percent.

Luján faced Republican Dan East and independent Carol Miller in the general election and won with 57% of the vote to East's 30% and Miller's 13%.[9]

2010

See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico

Luján won reelection against Republican nominee Thomas E. Mullins with 56.99% of the vote.

2012

See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico

Luján won reelection against Republican nominee Jefferson Byrd with 63.12% of the vote.

2014

See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico

Luján won reelection against Byrd again, with 61.52% of the vote.[10]

2016

See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico

Luján won reelection against Republican nominee Michael H. Romero with 62.42% of the vote.

2018

See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico

Luján won reelection against Republican nominee Jerald Steve McFall with 63.4% of the vote.

Tenure

Luján has been a proponent of health care reform, including a public option. In October 2009, he gave a speech on the House floor calling for a public option to be included in the House health care bill.[11]

In June 2009, Luján voted for an amendment that would require the United States Secretary of Defense to present a plan including a complete exit strategy for Afghanistan by the end of the year. The amendment did not pass.[12] In September 2009, Luján wrote a letter urging the Obama administration not to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan. In his letter, he drew on conversations he had with General Stanley A. McChrystal and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.[12]

Energy policy

Luján has been active in environmental regulation.[13] He chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ Green Economy and Renewable Energy Task Force.[13] Luján has initiated several pieces of legislation regarding renewable energy such as the SOLAR Act. He co-authored the Community College Energy Training Act of 2009. He also supports natural gas usage and the New Alternative Transportations to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2009.[13] Luján has high ratings from interest groups such as Environment America and the Sierra Club.[12]

Luján serves on the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force. He has introduced legislation to provide relief to communities and businesses impacted by PFAS/PFOA contamination in groundwater around Air Force bases in New Mexico and across the country.[14]

In addition to supporting the Green New Deal, an economic stimulus package that aims to address climate change and economic inequality, Luján has developed legislation to put the United States on a path to net-zero carbon emission and address climate change.[15]

Education policy

Luján has been supported by the National Education Association.[16] He supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act[13] and student loan reform. He cosponsored the STEM Education Coordination Act in an effort to produce more scientists and innovators in the United States.[13]

Luján has pressed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to bridge the digital divide to expand opportunities for rural communities. In 2018, he joined FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel on a bus ride where students learned to code during their drive time.

Native American issues

Luján has supported increased funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service.[13] He opposed the Stop the War on Coal Act of 2012 and was in favor of preserving sacred Native American ground.[17] Luján worked to create legislation enabling tribes to directly request disaster assistance from the president.[18] Luján's district contains 15 separate Pueblo tribes as well as tribal lands of the Jicarilla Apache Nation and Navajo Nation.[19] In February 2009, Luján introduced a series of five water accessibility bills that, along with improving access to water for the many communities in the district, would also give federal funds to Indian tribes. Along with Harry Teague (D-NM) and Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Luján sponsored an amendment to the House health care bill that would extend the current Indian Health Care system until 2025. Tribal governments were major donors to his 2012 reelection campaign.[20]

Luján has worked with the New Mexico Congressional Delegation to protect the greater Chaco Canyon region from oil and gas drilling and methane emissions. He participated in a Congressional Delegation visit to Chaco Canyon and Santa Fe, New Mexico, in May 2019, to study the effects of methane emissions on sacred sites.

In infrastructure negotiations with President Trump at the White House, Luján stressed the importance of investing in rural broadband connectivity as a means of addressing cases of missing and murdered indigenous women.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Health
  • Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection
• Select Committee on the Climate Crisis

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Arts Caucus[21]
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus[22]

Run for U.S. Senate

Main article: 2020 United States Senate election in New Mexico

On April 1, 2019, Luján announced he was running to succeed retiring Senator Tom Udall in the 2020 election.[4] On June 2, 2020, Luján won the Democratic primary unopposed. He will face Mark Ronchetti in the general election.

Legislative history

In 2011, Luján was a co-sponsor of Bill H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act.[23]

See also

• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress

References

1. "Our Campaigns - NM Public Regulation Commissioner 03 Race - Nov 02, 2004". www.ourcampaigns.com.
2. As pronounced by himself in "Acequia". Archived February 13, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
3. "A Guide To Who's Who In House Leadership For The 116th Congress". NPR.org. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
4. Arkin, James. "Luján announces Senate run in New Mexico". POLITICO.
5. "A memorial recognizing Speaker of the House of Representatives Ben Lujan's contribution to the State of New Mexico and wishing him well on his retirement from the New Mexico Legislature". New Mexico Legislature (nmlegis.gov). 2012 Regular Session - HM 64. March 22, 2012. Final version. Retrieved December 18, 2016. Noting that he began his service in the house of representatives in 1975, the resolution further states: "Speaker Lujan was elected by his caucus to be majority whip in 1983 and majority floor leader in 1999, before being elected speaker of the house of representatives in 2001, placing him among just a handful of legislators across the country who have served in leadership positions continuously for thirty years" (p. 1).
6. , Abq Journal
7. "Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.)". Who Runs Gov. Published by The Washington Post. 2010. Archived from the original on November 5, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
8. Oregon Agrees to Climate Change Framework Adopted by Four Public Utility Commissions. State of Oregon Public Utility Commission Archived November 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
9. Baker, Deborah. Lujan wins Democratic nomination, East gets GOP nod, in 3rd District. Portales News-Tribune. June 4, 2008. Archived June 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
10. Garcia, Kristen (November 4, 2014). "Democrat Lujan defeats Byrd for U.S. House District 3". KOB TV. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014.
11. Lujan, Ben. "Luján: We Must Demand A Public Option" [press release]. October 23, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2016 via Project Vote Smart; also available at lujan.house.gov/press-releases Archived December 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
12. Lujan, Ben. "Rep. Luján Urges Administration To Reject Troop Increase In Afghanistan" [press release]. September 25, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2016 via Project Vote Smart; also available at lujan.house.gov/press-releases Archived December 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
13. "Issues". Ben Ray Lujan for Congress. Archived from the original on June 27, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
14. "Udall, Heinrich, Luján Introduce Legislation to Provide Relief to New Mexico Communities Affected by PFAS | U.S. Congressman Ben Ray Luján". lujan.house.gov. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
15. Writer, Scott Turner | Journal Staff. "Luján's plan requires net-zero carbon emissions by 2050". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
16. "Ben Lujan, Jr.'s Ratings and Endorsements - The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
17. "Stop the War on Coal Act of 2012 - Public Statements - The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. September 21, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
18. "Luján: Legislation Enabling Tribes to Request Disaster Assistance Directly from the President Passes House - Public Statements - The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. September 21, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
19. About the District. Website of Congressman Ben Jay Luján Archived May 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
20. National Institute on Money in State Politics. ""Lujan, Ben R."". followthemoney.org. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
21. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
22. "Members". Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Archived from the original on May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
23. Bill H.R.3261; GovTrack.us;

External links

• Congressman Ben R. Luján official U.S. House site
• Ben R. Luján for Congress
• Ben Ray Luján at Curlie
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Appearances on C-SPAN

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Tom Udall	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's 3rd congressional district 2009–present	Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Steve Israel	Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee 2015–2019	Succeeded by Cheri Bustos
Preceded by Jim Clyburn as House Assistant Democratic Leader	Assistant Speaker of the House of Representatives 2019–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Tom Udall	Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from New Mexico (Class 2) 2020	Most recent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Blaine Luetkemeyer	United States Representatives by seniority 131st	Succeeded by Tom McClintock