Ben Ray Luján was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1972 and was raised in Nambé as the son of a union ironworker and public school employee. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from New Mexico Highlands University in 2007. Before serving in the Senate, Luján worked as director of administrative services and CFO of the New Mexico Cultural Affairs Department. He was elected to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission in 2004, served in the U.S. House representing New Mexico's 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2020 (where he became assistant House speaker), and was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020 with 51.73% of the vote, becoming the first Hispanic to represent New Mexico in the Senate in over 40 years. He is also one of only two Head Start graduates to serve in the Senate.
Luján comes from a political family in rural New Mexico. His father served as a county commissioner and state legislator, while his mother was a public school employee. He worked as a blackjack dealer at a tribal casino before pursuing higher education. Before entering Congress, he worked in government administration and served on the state Public Regulation Commission. In the House, he became the highest-ranking Hispanic in Congress as assistant House speaker and served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2014, leading Democrats to a House majority in 2018. He suffered a stroke in January 2022 but recovered fully by April and has continued his Senate work.
Supports lowering prescription drug costs, protecting Medicare and Medicaid, and expanding healthcare access
Luján has fought to lower prescription drug costs and protect critical health programs. He was named a 2026 James Beard Foundation Impact Award honoree for his work protecting SNAP and food security programs.
Voting History: As a senator, Luján has focused heavily on health and Native American healthcare access as areas of concern
Strong advocate for clean energy transition and environmental protection
Chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus's Green Economy and Renewable Energy Task Force. Has championed the SOLAR Act and other renewable energy legislation. Supports net-zero carbon emissions goals.
Voting History: Has high ratings from environment groups like Sierra Club and Environment America. Serves on bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force addressing contamination.
Strong advocate for tribal communities and their needs
Introduced legislation providing relief for PFAS contamination around Air Force bases affecting tribal lands. Championed water accessibility bills for tribal communities and led efforts to advance Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project with $120 million in 2026.
Voting History: Introduced multiple bills supporting Native American communities including water accessibility, Indian Health Service funding, and tribal disaster assistance. Voted to support human rights provisions of Foreign Assistance Act applied to U.S. aid to Israel.
Opposes restrictive voting measures; critical of Trump administration immigration enforcement
In January 2026, announced opposition to Department of Homeland Security funding bill after federal immigration agents fatally shot Renée Good and Alex Pretti. Spoke against SAVE Act, saying it would disenfranchise women and Native Americans in New Mexico.
Voting History: Voted for Bernie Sanders resolution applying human rights provisions of Foreign Assistance Act to U.S. military aid to Israel (defeated 72-11)
Strong defender of SNAP, WIC, and other food assistance programs
In late 2025, worked to protect SNAP and WIC from Trump Administration cuts during federal government shutdown. Introduced Restoring Food Security for American Farmers and Families Act with Senate Democratic Caucus.
Voting History: Ranking member of Senate Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition. Secured federal funding for food assistance expansion across New Mexico.
Luján has been a productive legislator despite a stroke in January 2022 that caused him to miss some votes. He was the primary sponsor of 20 bills that were enacted into law. From 2009 to March 2026, he missed 93 of 2,350 roll call votes (4.0%), which is slightly worse than the median of 2.8% for current senators. His legislative focus areas include health (29%), Native Americans (14%), public lands and natural resources (14%), science and technology (14%), and agriculture and food (13%).
| Bill | Title | Vote | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHS Funding Bill | Department of Homeland Security appropriations | Nay (announced) | 2026-01-15 | Announced opposition to DHS funding bill in January 2026 after federal immigration agents fatally shot Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis |
| Bernie Sanders resolution | Human Rights Provisions of Foreign Assistance Act applied to U.S. aid to Israel's military | Yea | 2024-01-15 | Voted for resolution to apply human rights provisions to Israel military aid; resolution defeated 72-11 |
| H.R. 3261 | Stop Online Piracy Act | Yea (co-sponsor) | 2011-10-26 | Controversial vote as co-sponsor of SOPA in 2011, which faced opposition from internet advocacy groups |
Luján's social media presence is professional and constituent-focused, highlighting legislative achievements and federal funding. His campaign rhetoric emphasizes fighting for New Mexico families while also using strong language criticizing Trump administration policies. Campaign fundraising emails use hyperbolic language (e.g., 'facing my toughest reelection fight yet') to motivate donations, which some observers have noted does not match the race's actual competitiveness.
Senator Luján spoke against the SAVE Act, arguing it would disenfranchise women and Native Americans in New Mexico
Luján appeared on public media discussing voting rights and the Trump administration's voting measure
View post →Visited El Caldito Soup Kitchen to highlight federal funding secured for kitchen improvements and food assistance programs
Showcased his work on food security and highlighted federal appropriations for community projects
View post →Luján is failing to fight hard enough for working families and is part of establishment Democrats not delivering on progressive priorities
Dodson, a self-described Democratic Socialist, received only 14% of delegates at the party convention and criticized Luján as part of 'everything wrong with the Democratic Party right now.' Dodson has run unsuccessfully for office multiple times and is 'permanently suspended' from state party.