Ben Ray Luján

Ben Ray Luján still lives in Nambé, where he grew up on a small family farm with a union ironworker father and a mother who worked in public schools.¹ He enjoys mountain biking and working on that farm.¹ A stroke and brain surgery interrupted his first Senate term in 2022.²

His earlier jobs included casino blackjack dealer and supervisor, followed by work in state government.³ He earned a business administration degree from New Mexico Highlands University and served as the state Cultural Affairs Department's finance chief and Public Regulation Commission chairman.⁴ He represented northern New Mexico in the House, became assistant speaker and entered the Senate in January 2021.⁴

Luján joined Republican Josh Hawley in introducing legislation to expand compensation for people harmed by radiation from the federal nuclear weapons program.⁵ The 2025 tax and spending law ultimately expanded the program to qualifying New Mexico residents and additional uranium workers.⁶ Luján opposed that broader bill, citing its healthcare and food assistance cuts.⁷

In 2026, he joined colleagues proposing a $5,000 annual limit on patient costs under traditional Medicare Parts A and B.⁸ His campaign also emphasizes rural broadband, public lands and opposition to Trump's tariffs.¹ He faces Republican Larry Marker, with voters deciding whether to return him for a second six year term.⁹