New Mexico: Ben Ray Lujan Set to Announce Senate Candidacy on Monday
March 28, 2019 · 9:00 AM EDT
Democratic Rep. Ben Ray Lujan plans to run for the Senate in New Mexico and is set to officially announce his candidacy on Monday, according to two sources familiar with the congressman’s decision. The seat is open after Democratic Sen. Tom Udall announced he would not seek re-election in 2020.
Lujan, the former chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, will be a formidable candidate, but he also isn’t likely to have the field to himself. State Attorney General Hector Balderas looks poised to enter the race on Thursday, and Rep. Deb Haaland and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver are mentioned as potential candidates as well.
Democrats start with the early advantage to hold the seat. Inside Elections rates the race as Solid Democratic.
11:48am Update: Balderas announced he will not be running for the Senate.