Ben Ray Lujan Height, Weight, Religion, Net Worth, Age, Biography

About (Profile/Biography):
Ben Ray Luján is a U.S. Senator from New Mexico, known for his dedication to expanding healthcare, broadband access, and renewable energy. A proud New Mexican, Ben was born into a politically active family and grew up understanding the values of public service and community. After serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2009 to 2021, he was elected to the Senate, where he became a strong voice for rural America, Native communities, and working families. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Luján has used his platform to fight for equity and innovation. Despite facing personal and political challenges, including a serious health scare, he remains one of the more respected and resilient voices in Congress today.
Early Life and Education of Ben Ray Luján
• Ben was born on June 7, 1972, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and is the son of former New Mexico House Speaker Ben Luján Sr.
• Luján attended the University of New Mexico and later New Mexico Highlands University but didn’t graduate from either, a fact he openly discusses.
• He began his career working in public service and later joined the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, focusing on renewable energy.
Political Career of Ben Ray Luján
• Luján was first elected to Congress in 2008, representing New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District.
• Ben became Assistant Speaker of the House in 2019, the highest-ranking Hispanic in the House at that time.
• In 2021, he won a seat in the U.S. Senate, succeeding Tom Udall and continuing his focus on rural and Indigenous issues.
Major Achievements of Ben Ray Luján
• Senator Luján played a key role in expanding internet access to underserved rural communities across New Mexico.
• He co-authored key parts of the Affordable Care Act, especially regarding funding for Medicaid expansion.
• Ben pushed for clean energy investments and job creation, leading efforts on climate tech and solar innovation.
Controversies around Ben Ray Luján
• Luján faced criticism in 2020 for supporting oil and gas leasing reforms while receiving campaign donations from the industry.
• In 2015, he supported the Iran nuclear deal, which brought backlash from pro-Israel groups and conservative critics.
• Some progressives criticized him for supporting moderate stances during budget negotiations, especially regarding defense spending.
Awards and Recognitions received by Ben Ray Luján
• In 2022, Ben received the Internet Champion Award for his work in bridging the digital divide in rural areas.
• He was honored by the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda for his advocacy for Latino communities in government.
• The Clean Energy Leadership Institute recognized Luján for championing renewable energy and green job programs.
Lesser-Known Facts about Ben Ray Luján
• Ben is a huge science fiction fan and has publicly talked about his love for Star Wars and Star Trek.
• Luján is known for often wearing traditional New Mexican turquoise jewelry on the Senate floor.
• Despite not finishing college, he’s served on multiple university boards and supports higher education funding passionately.