Democratic Rep. Ben Ray Lujan will run for Senate next year to succeed the retiring Sen. Tom Udall, the congressman announced Monday. In a video, the 46-year-old Lujan said he would launch a campaign for the 2020 Senate election in his state. Udall, a second-term Democrat, announced his retirement last week. Lujan, who has served in the House since 2009, led the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee last year as his party gained 40 seats and a majority in the chamber. The congressman, who is now the fourth-ranking House Democrat as assistant speaker, highlighted his work at the House Democratic campaign arm during his campaign launch Monday. "We stood side by side as I led the effort to win back the House, so we could lower prescription drug prices, lower health care costs, fight for clean air and clean water, restore voting rights and equal rights, and build a brighter future for our kids," he said. "But to move forward, we've got to fix the Senate, where Mitch McConnell stands in the way of progress." Lujan tweet: I'm humbled to announce my candidacy to be New Mexico's next Democratic Senator. I hope I can count on your support as we take this journey together. In winning back the House in November, Democrats hammered Republicans for their attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Lujan and other 2020 candidates around the country appear likely to make health care their top issue again, especially as the Trump administration backs a lawsuit that would dismantle Obamacare. Democrats are favored to win the New Mexico Senate race despite Udall's retirement. Nonpartisan forecasters Sabato's Crystal Ball and Cook Political Report rate the seat as "likely" Democratic. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Democrats aim to chip away at the GOP advantage next year: 22 Republicans face re-election next year, versus 12 Democrats. Democrat Hillary Clinton won New Mexico by about 8 percentage points in 2016. In last year's midterms, Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small flipped the state's 2nd Congressional District, while incumbent Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich coasted to victory statewide. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.<doc-sep>Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, a New Mexico Democrat, attends a rally with House and Senate Democrats to announce "A Better Deal" economic agenda in Berryville, Virginia., in July 2017. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) (CNN) — Rep. Ben Ray Luján, the fourth-ranking House Democrat, announced on Monday a campaign for the open US Senate seat in New Mexico. In a video released online, Luján referenced his success in 2018 as the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the political organization that led the party’s efforts to take over the House. “I’m running to be your next United States senator,” said Luján, who is the House assistant speaker. “We stood side-by-side as I led the effort to win back the House, so we could lower prescription drug prices, lower health care costs, fight for clean air and clean water, restore voting rights and equal rights and build a brighter future for our kids.” “But to move forward, we’ve got to fix the Senate, where Mitch McConnell stands in the way of progress,” he added. Luján, 46, will run in 2020 for the spot left by the retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Udall. He joins other young Democrats in House leadership who have decided to run for other positions rather than wait for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Whip Jim Clyburn – the three long-time leaders of the party in the House – to retire. Other Democrats who might run for the Senate seat include freshman Rep. Deb Haaland and New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, but Luján’s experience running the DCCC gives him a nationwide network that would boost him in a potential primary. Some Latino strategists were hoping Luján would run; the state’s percentage of Latino residents is about 48%, higher than any other state, according to the Pew Research Center, but the state has not elected a Latino senator in more than 40 years. “While we have a great, deep bench of very talented and appealing candidates in New Mexico, for us the logical choice was to run this draft campaign to try to get the assistant speaker to run for the seat,” said Mayra Macias, vice president of the Latino Victory Fund, a political action committee that set up the website “RunBenRayRun.com” last week. But some progressives say that they would prefer Haaland, one of the first two Native American women elected to the House last year. In a recent interview, Haaland, the former state Democratic Party chair, said she’d be “remiss” if she didn’t consider running and said she won her crowded House primary due to her exceptional organizing experience. “I want whoever takes his place to be as good on the environment, as good on Indian issues, as good on all these things that Sen. Udall was,” said Haaland. When asked if there’s another barrier to break — the first Native American woman elected to the Senate — she said, “I mean, I think so.” “I know people will nitpick about Elizabeth Warren,” she added. “She has Native American ancestry, however far back it is.” Warren last year made public a DNA test that showed distant Native American ancestry, though she later clarified that she is “not a tribal citizen.” While Haaland downplayed her ideological differences with Luján — she supports a single-payer health care system while he has written a Medicaid buy-in plan — some progressive groups said they would back her because of those positions. “Both are theoretically electable,” said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. “But if they ran against each other, this would quickly become a nationalized race with establishment, big money donors likely supporting Ben Ray Luján and a nation full of small dollar, grassroots donors supporting Deb Haaland in large part because she is willing to take a lead on issues like Medicare for All, a Green New Deal and other transformational ideas.” “She’s been an ardent supporter of the issues that matter the most to us — the Green New Deal, Medicare for All,” added Yvette Simpson, the leader of Democracy for America. “I think it would be crazy for her not to” consider running. Macias said that Luján helped usher in the most diverse class in the House’s history, held a sky-high rating from the League of Conservation Voters, the environmental advocacy group, and had the experience — a decade in the House — to be senator. “The fact that he was at the helm of the DCCC, and the first Hispanic chairman of the DCCC, when Democrats took back the House, is testimony to his bold leadership,” Macias said. Republicans are seeking to break the state’s entirely Democratic congressional delegation. Steve Pearce, the New Mexico Republican Party chairman and a former congressman, said the state’s Democratic legislature has overreached on issues like abortion and said Republicans have an opportunity to pick up the seat. In an interview last week, he did not rule out running for the seat himself. “What we want to do is put up the best possible candidate and we need to have a long discussion among the Republicans in the state to see who are our best shots,” Pearce said. “I think that the organization of the party long-term is important but this seat is also important.” “That’s not a no, that’s not a yes,” he added. There are a number of other potential candidates, including former Lt. Gov. John Sanchez and 2018 Secretary of State candidate Gavin Clarkson and chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court Judith Nakamura. “My focus is on the work of the New Mexico Supreme Court and ensuring completion of projects under way to improve the state court system,” said Nakamura in a statement. “I do not wish to engage in speculation about what the future might bring.” This story has been updated with additional developments Monday.<doc-sep>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright © 2019 Albuquerque Journal U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., had been mentioned as a possible successor to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after becoming the fourth-highest ranking Democrat in the U.S. House earlier this year. Instead, Luján will be giving up his post as assistant speaker in a bid to succeed fellow Democrat Tom Udall in the U.S. Senate. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Luján announced his intention to run for the seat on social media on Monday, one week after Udall said he would not seek election to a third term in 2020. Luján’s decision makes him the early front-runner in the race for the U.S. Senate seat, while also setting off a new round of political intrigue regarding the northern New Mexico-based 3rd Congressional District seat that Luján has held since 2009. Luján told the Journal it was not an easy decision to give up his seat in the House, where he is the highest-ranking Hispanic member of Congress. “I made the decision after talking to my colleagues (in leadership)” and family members, Luján said. “Speaker Pelosi is an amazing friend and an amazing mentor.” The son of former New Mexico House Speaker Ben Luján, who died in 2012, the younger Luján said he feels he can be a more effective leader for the people of New Mexico in the Senate. He also said he was frustrated that the House has passed legislation such as gun-safety measures and voter reform only to see the legislation languish in the Senate. Luján said the Democratic-controlled House is working to “lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs” while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, “has announced he wants to kill the Affordable Care Act.” “I’m running to stand up to Mitch McConnell, not just to flip the Senate,” Luján said. He cited his experience working on legislation addressing opioid addiction and the farm bill. Luján said he would continue to work on health care issues and infrastructure for rural areas, including expanding the availability of broadband internet service in the state. He said he wanted to be a “champion” for New Mexico in the Senate, like Udall and former Democratic Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Dennis Chavez. Luján is the early favorite in what could be a crowded Democratic field. His position in House leadership could also give him a fundraising advantage over his rivals. University of New Mexico political science professor Gabriel Sanchez said Luján’s early announcement could scare off some potential challengers from entering the race. “He’s sitting in the driver’s seat,” Sanchez said. “I can’t see too many people out there who would have a bona fide chance at beating him.” The six-term congressman, who easily defeated two opponents in last year’s general election, might also get financial backing from such out-of-state groups as Latino Victory Project, a Washington, D.C.-based political action committee that urged him to run, Sanchez said. New Mexico has not had a Hispanic member of the U.S. Senate for more than 40 years. Potential challengers But Luján’s big jump might not ward off all challengers. New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and first-term U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., have announced they are considering a run for the seat. U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small is also reportedly mulling over a bid. A spokeswoman for Toulouse Oliver said she had spoken to Luján before his announcement, but said the announcement would not affect Toulouse Oliver’s decision to run. For his part, Luján said he welcomed the competition. “I think debate is good for our party,” he said. He also didn’t think potentially facing Haaland and Torres Small would affect their ability to work on issues in the House during the rest of their terms. He and Haaland both told the Journal that the three have worked well together over the past several months. But Luján said he felt like he was “the strongest candidate” based not only on his experience in the House, but also his past experience as chairman of the Public Regulation Commission, where he worked on renewable energy issues. Luján said he also believes having held a leadership position in the House could aid him in the Senate. “We work with our colleagues in the Senate,” Luján said. “I know them personally.” GOP sees opportunity Democrats are favored to win the seat, as Republicans have not won a Senate race in New Mexico since 2002. But Republicans still see an opportunity, because it’s rare for U.S. Senate seats in New Mexico not to feature an incumbent. A spokeswoman for state Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce said Monday that the former congressman – who lost a bid for the seat to Udall in 2008 – was still considering running. She also said Pearce was seeking out other potentially strong candidates to run for the seat. “Given the Democrats’ progressive trend, they will likely nominate someone who is far too liberal to represent New Mexico,” Pearce said in a statement after Udall’s announcement last week. “As chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, I can unequivocally state that our candidate will provide a clear contrast with anyone whom the Democrats recruit to run.” Albuquerque contractor Mick Rich, who ran for the U.S. Senate last year against Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., has also expressed interest in running for Udall’s seat, and other candidates could emerge in the coming months. New Mexico’s primary election for the seat is 14 months away – on June 2, 2020. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2020.<doc-sep>Representative Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, a trusted ally of Speaker Nancy Pelosi who was seen as a possible candidate to replace her when she retired, announced on Monday that he would run for the Senate in 2020. He will seek the seat held by Senator Tom Udall, also a Democrat, who said last week that he would retire at the end of his term. Mr. Luján’s decision makes him the latest aspiring House speaker to move on because of Ms. Pelosi’s longevity. Chris Van Hollen, now a senator from Maryland, and Xavier Becerra, now attorney general of California, are also among the former Democratic House stars who have since sought other offices. An easygoing, well-liked member of the House who currently serves as deputy speaker, Mr. Luján has represented New Mexico’s Third Congressional District since 2008. He also led the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the party’s arm that supports House candidates, in the 2016 and 2018 elections.<doc-sep>
Assistant House Speaker Ben Ray Luján has declared his candidacy for New Mexico’s Senate seat, which will be in play in 2020, now that Democratic Sen. Tom Udall is retiring. Luján, a six-term Congress member from Santa Fe, is a rising star in House leadership. He oversaw Democrats’ sweeping 2018 midterms victory in his role as the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and is a close ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But rather than waiting for his turn at the top of House leadership, Luján has his eye on the other chamber. “We stood side-by-side as I led the effort to win back the House, so we could lower prescription drug prices, lower health care costs, fight for clean air and clean water, restore voting rights and equal rights and build a brighter future for our kids,” he said in his announcement video. “But to move forward, we’ve got to fix the Senate where Mitch McConnell stands in the way of progress.” I'm humbled to announce my candidacy to be New Mexico's next Democratic Senator. I hope I can count on your support as we take this journey together. https://t.co/QlM4S90ele pic.twitter.com/yvrDGYQhVq — Ben Ray Luján (@benraylujan) April 1, 2019 Luján is entering the race for a seat vacated by Udall, who recently announced he would serve out the remainder of his term and retire in 2020. And while other candidates, including first-term Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) and New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, may jump in the race, Luján’s path looks pretty good, as long as he makes it through the Democratic primary. New Mexico is an increasingly blue state; Democrats captured every statewide office in 2018. Udall easily won his 2014 reelection race with nearly 56 percent of the vote. That’s a potentially promising opportunity for a younger politician like Luján, who was staring down a longer road to more leadership opportunities in the House. Though he’s seen as an ally of Pelosi — the House speaker created Luján’s current position of assistant speaker after his successful showing in 2018 — he wouldn’t be the first departure of a young, ambitious politician from her leadership team. With the long-entrenched leadership team of Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, younger members of Congress have historically left the House rather than wait their turn. Pelosi announced she’ll retire from her post by 2022, but Hoyer and Clyburn have made no such assurances yet. Top Pelosi lieutenants in past years, including former Reps. Xavier Becerra and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), left the House to become attorney general of California and a US senator, respectively, rather than wait to ascend the House leadership ranks. Luján is the latest to set his sights on the Senate.