Sen. Lujan (Journal)

It's not direct from the horse's mouth but a "spokesperson" for Senator Ben Ray Lujan says he will, as expected, seek a second term in 2026.

That ABQ Dem Rep. Melanie Stansbury was mentioned here a a possible replacement if Lujan chose to step away might have his office stepping on the gas. There are also plenty of others on the Democratic bench who would jump in if Lujan were to beg off.

We have watched senate re-election decisions closely over the years and with caution. Before they went public with their decisions not to seek re-election, Senators Pete Domenici, Tom Udall and Jeff Bingaman were all very coy, probably to avoid looking as weak lame ducks. That's why an unequivocal statement direct from the candidate is preferred.

But we'll take the Lujan spokesman's comment at face value while also mentioning that Ben Ray has a robust $2.075 million in campaign cash on hand, signaling his run for a second six year term. 

The senator recently held a town hall where he looked and acted every bit the candidate as he fielded questions from a crowd of Santa Fe liberals concerned about the Trump administration. 

He also conducted a business roundtable in ABQ on Trumps tariffs as he steps up his activity for this election cycle.

Lujan is not a firebrand and favors a centrist approach while voting his party's line. That positions him to take advantage of Trump's unpopularity within his party while still appealing to those outside that circle.

Republicans have not indicated they will mount a serous challenge and he starts as a heavy favorite for re-election. 

HEADY DAYS

Lujan and Pelosi

Lujan's march to the center of power was a straight line when he served in the US House for eight years (2009-2021). 

He was picked in 2014 as the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). He soon was a regular national media presence, guiding the Dems in 2016 to to a six seat pick up in the House. In 2018 the big payoff came when Lujan presided over the campaign that took back the House from the Republicans.

Lujan's chief talent is not legislating but political strategy and party leadership. In 2018 he rose to the rank of Assistant House Speaker (formerly known as Assistant Majority Leader) under his mentor Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Those were heady days for the native New Mexican and some observers thought he might stay put in the House with an eye toward an even higher leadership slot and more power. But the lure of an open senate seat could not be resisted. 

Lujan's rise slowed in the Senate. He said the stroke he suffered in early 2022 "changed his perspective." 

He was recently named to the powerful Senate Finance Committee as he regroups. The question is whether Lujan's ultimate promise will manifest itself in the Senate. 

Is he again on track to accumulate more power for the state or will his career be more low key? An answer will come in due time, one supposes. At 52, Lujan is a veritable teenybopper in the aged Senate, a place where the long game is your ace in the hole.

Lujan's '26 campaign will not only feature a jousting over ideas but also reveal just how deep his ambition still burns. 

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.