Ben Ray Luján ( loo-HAHN; born June 7, 1972) is an American politician who has served as the junior United States senator from New Mexico since 2021. He served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2021 and the assistant House Democratic leader (officially the "Assistant Speaker") from 2019 to 2021. He served as a member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission from 2005 to 2008, where he also served as chairman. 
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. In his role as assistant House Democratic leader, Luján was 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. He defeated Republican Mark Ronchetti in the general election on November 3, 2020, and took office on January 3, 2021.


== Early life and education ==
Ben Ray Luján was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the last child of Carmen (Ray) and Ben Luján, and has two older sisters and an older brother. He was raised in Nambe, New Mexico. His father, Ben, went into politics in 1970, when he was elected to the County Commission, and from 1975, Ben was a longtime member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, serving as majority whip and Speaker of the House.After graduating from Pojoaque Valley High School, Ben Ray worked as a blackjack dealer at a Lake Tahoe casino and a Northern New Mexico tribal casino. After his stint as a dealer, he attended the University of New Mexico and later received a BBA degree from New Mexico Highlands University.


== Early career ==


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


== U.S. House of Representatives ==


=== Elections ===
2008
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%.
2010
Luján won reelection against Republican nominee Thomas E. Mullins with 56.99% of the vote.

2012
Luján won reelection against Republican nominee Jefferson Byrd with 63.12% of the vote.

2014
Luján won reelection against Byrd again, with 61.52% of the vote.
2016
Luján won reelection against Republican nominee Michael H. Romero with 62.42% of the vote.

2018
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.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. 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.In 2011, Luján was a co-sponsor of Bill H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act.


==== Energy policy ====
According to his campaign website, Luján has been active in environmental regulation. He chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ Green Economy and Renewable Energy Task Force. 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. Luján has high ratings from interest groups such as Environment America and the Sierra Club.Luján serves on the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task