Ben Ray Luján has represented New Mexico in the United States Senate since January 2021. He previously served as U.S. Representative for New Mexico’s Third Congressional District and House Assistant Speaker in the 116th Congress.
Senator Luján sits on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; the Committee on Indian Affairs; and the Committee on the Budget.
Senator Luján grew up in Nambé, a small farming community north of Santa Fe, bordered by the Nambé and Pojoaque Pueblos. It was there that he learned New Mexico values, including hard work, dedication, and perseverance, from his family and community.
Ben has been longtime champion of climate action and environmental justice. He most recently had bipartisan legislation signed into law to plug all documented abandoned and orphaned oil and gas wells, a major source of methane emissions. As a member of the House, Ben developed bold, comprehensive legislation to put the United States power sector on a path to net-zero carbon emissions to combat the climate crisis and grow the economy. This visionary plan earned praise from climate experts, environmental advocates, and labor groups. Prior to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Ben served as the Chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.