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D Democratic · Incumbent · U.S. Senate, New Mexico · Nov 3, 2026

Ben
Ray Luján

Democratic U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, in office since 2021, filed for reelection in February 2026.

Researched checked 7 d ago
sources
19
positions
12
endorsements
37
benraylujan.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Bluesky(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Larry Marker R Compare race →

Background

Ben Ray Luján is a Democratic U.S. senator from New Mexico who has held office since January 2021. He grew up in Nambé, a small farming community north of Santa Fe, and was born in Santa Fe. He earned a B.B.A. from New Mexico Highlands University in 2007 after attending the University of New Mexico from 1990 to 1995. 123

Before his Senate service, Luján represented New Mexico's Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 3, 2009, to January 3, 2021, rising to serve as House Assistant Speaker in the 116th Congress (2019–2021). Earlier in his career he served on the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (2004–2008), including as its chair (2005–2007), as well as in roles including deputy state treasurer and director of administrative services and chief financial officer for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. 13

Luján filed for reelection to the U.S. Senate on February 3, 2026, stating that New Mexico is "a special place that we are proud to call home." He has been an active voice on issues including technology disinformation, substance use disorders, and constituent outreach through town halls across New Mexico. 8916

At a glance

Party
Democratic · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. Senate, New Mexico
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Senator for New Mexico
Website
benraylujan.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Voting record

How Ben Ray Luján voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 23, 2023 to Sep 30, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.

roll call votes
1,606
missed
1.2%
with their party’s majority
97%

Recent key votes

  • Sep 30, 2026 · Senate · PN1129 · Economy & jobs
    Keith Sonderling, of Florida, to be Secretary of Labor
    On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Sep 28, 2026 · Senate · S4668 · Education
    A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Aug 8, 2026 · Senate · PN1078 · Crime & public safety
    Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General
    On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Aug 8, 2026 · Senate · HR6500 · Taxes & budget
    An act making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Aug 7, 2026 · Senate · HR5334 · Foreign policy & defense
    An act to impose sanctions and other measures with respect to the Russian Federation, as championed by the late Senator Lindsey O. Graham, and for other purposes.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Jul 28, 2026 · Senate · PN1092 · Foreign policy & defense
    Walter Clayton, of New York, to be Director of National Intelligence
    On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Jun 5, 2026 · Senate · S2 · Taxes & budget
    An original bill to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 33.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Apr 16, 2026 · Senate · HJRES140 · Climate & energy
    A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
    On the Joint Resolution · Joint Resolution Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No

Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,606 votes →

Timeline

  1. Oct 8
    controversy
    Marker accuses Luján of refusing to debate; no confirmed debate event found

    The Albuquerque Journal reported that Republican challenger Larry Marker accused Luján of refusing to debate him. The article did not establish that a debate had been agreed to or provide Luján's response to the accusation. No confirmed debate was found in the sources reviewed.

    US Sen. Ben Ray Luján faces long-shot challenge from ... · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 8
    news
    Luján reported to hold ~$4.4 million cash on hand vs. Marker's ~$12,000

    The Albuquerque Journal reported a significant fundraising disparity: Luján had nearly $4.4 million in his campaign account as of July, while Marker held roughly $12,000 per FEC data through June 30, per ChamberLight's summary.

    US Sen. Ben Ray Luján faces long-shot challenge from ... · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 7
    news
    Luján cites inflation, fuel prices, and health-care costs as key 2026 issues

    In a KOB interview, Luján said people were struggling because 'everything's so expensive,' pointing to fuel prices and pressure on farmers, ranchers, and families. He supported restoring Medicaid funds and ACA premium tax credits and said proposals on prescription costs could have lowered expenses.

    Sen. Ben Ray Luján points to inflation as key issue ahead of 2026 election · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 30
    poll
    SurveyUSA poll shows Luján ahead 54%–36%, an 18-point lead

    A KOB/SurveyUSA poll (fieldwork ending September 30) showed Luján at 54% and Marker at 36%, with 10% undecided, reported by Political Wire on October 6.

    Luján Leads Marker in New Mexico Senate Race - Political Wire · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Aug 28
    poll
    Early poll shows Luján leading Marker 53%–38%

    A Research & Polling Inc. survey (fieldwork ending August 28) showed Luján at 53% and Marker at 38% among likely voters, per Call the Map's poll listing.

    New Mexico Senate polls 2026: Luján vs. Marker — every poll and the average · Call the Map · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Jun 2
    filing
    Luján wins Democratic primary with 84% of the vote

    Ben Ray Luján won the New Mexico Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on June 2, 2026, defeating his opponent 84%–16%, according to News From The States.

    New Mexico Election 2026: US Senator · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • National Association of Social Workers organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • AFSCME Council 18 union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • AFGE Local 1050 union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • New Mexico Federation of Labor union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • National Education Association New Mexico union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • AFL-CIO union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • AFGE Local 1050 (TSA Workers ABQ) union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Human Rights Campaign organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Iron Workers Local 495 union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • League of Conservation Voters organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • BOLD PAC organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Young Democrats of New Mexico organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Planned Parenthood Action Fund organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Moms Demand Action (Gun Sense Candidate) organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Brady Campaign organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Moms Rising organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Newtown Action Alliance organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Feminist Majority organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • National Security Leaders for America organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • New Mexico Building Trades union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • IBEW union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 49 union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • New Mexico IAFF union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Service Employees International Union union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Machinists union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • American Federation of Teachers union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • J Street organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Jewish Democratic Council of America organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • NRDC Action Fund organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • New Mexico State College Democrats organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Committee to Protect Healthcare organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Animal Protection Voters organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Reproductive Freedom for All organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • Latino Victory Fund organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • New Mexico High School Democrats organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page; no date given. benraylujan.com
  • American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union
    AFGE announced endorsement of Luján for reelection on May 27, 2026, as part of endorsements of four New Mexico incumbents. afge.org · May 27, 2026
  • GIFFORDS PAC organization
    GIFFORDS PAC announced endorsement on February 3, 2026. giffords.org · Feb 3, 2026

Past elections

General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.

YearSeatResultVotesShare
2020U.S. Senate NM · DWon474,48351.7%
2018U.S. House NM-03 · DWon155,20163.4%
2016U.S. House NM-03 · DWon170,61262.4%

Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$8.28M
Spent
$3.96M
Cash on hand
$4.40M

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S0NM00058(opens in a new tab)

Sources 19

  1. [1] US Sen. Ben Ray Luján faces long-shot challenge from ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  2. [2] Luján outlines priorities as he seeks another term in U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  3. [3] Luján Statement on Trump Administration Move to Roll Back ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  4. [4] Sen. Ben Ray Luján points to inflation as key issue ahead of 2026 election(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  5. [5] Luján Leads Marker in New Mexico Senate Race - Political Wire(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  6. [6] New Mexico Senate polls 2026: Luján vs. Marker — every poll and the average · Call the Map(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  7. [7] Endorsements - Ben Ray Luján for U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
  8. [8] New Mexico Election 2026: US Senator(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
  9. [9] In Las Vegas, Luján Meets with Hospital Leaders, Highlights Fight to ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 2, 2026
  10. [10] Luján Introduces Legislation to Support and Strengthen ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 5, 2026
  11. [11] Luján Statement on Four Years Since SCOTUS Overturned Roe v. Wade - Senator Ben Ray Luján(opens in a new tab) Jun 24, 2026
  12. [12] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 4 New Mexico Incumbents for Reelection to Congress(opens in a new tab) May 27, 2026
  13. [13] Luján Releases Snapshot of Republican Reconciliation Bill ...(opens in a new tab) May 18, 2026
  14. [14] Amid Trump's Affordability Crisis, Luján Pushes Solutions on ...(opens in a new tab) May 7, 2026
  15. [15] ICYMI: Luján Pens Op-Ed on Fighting Back Against Trump's Push to ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 19, 2026
  16. [16] Luján Votes Against President Trump's Illegal War Against Iran(opens in a new tab) Mar 4, 2026
  17. [17] Luján, Booker, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Prevent ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 9, 2026
  18. [18] GIFFORDS PAC endorses Senator Ben Ray Luján for ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 3, 2026
  19. [19] Luján, Escobar Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Address Deadly ...(opens in a new tab) Nov 21, 2025
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