Ben Ray Luján is running for the Senate — and throwing the House Democrats' succession plans in disarray
Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) announced last week he would not seek re-election in New Mexico's upcoming 2020 campaign, opening up a key seat for the party in what could be a competitive election, per The New York Times. On Monday, Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) formally declared on Twitter that he will contend for Udall's vacant seat.
The Hill reports that he is already the frontrunner to take Udall's spot. But the decision does come at an interesting time for the 46-year-old Luján, the fourth highest ranking Democrat in the House who was expected to continue to rise. In November, Luján, whom Politico described as a close ally as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), was elected as Assistant Speaker, a role he has occupied since the new year began.
At the time, The Hill reported that Pelosi was seeking a way to give Luján a "leg up" to succeed her as future Speaker. But KOAT News political expert Brian Sanderoff said that Luján's Senate campaign means he is expected to give up his seat in the House.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
For his part, Luján said in his announcement video that while he was proud to represent New Mexico in the house, "to move forward, we've got to fix the Senate." And, after all, as Sanderoff told KOAT, it's rare when a Senate seat opens up. "When one comes up, it's pretty special," he said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump gets $289M break, first criminal trial date
Speed Read The former president's fraud bond has been reduced to $175 million from $464 million
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US-Israel rift widens after UN cease-fire resolution
Speed Read The U.S. declined to veto a U.N. resolution calling for a two-week "immediate cease-fire" in Gaza
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New Jersey first lady exits race to replace Menendez
Speed Read Tammy Murphy dropping out paves the way for Rep. Andy Kim to become the state's next senator
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia blames Ukraine for deadly ISIS Moscow attack
Speed Read Putin has ignored the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the concert hall shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump-RNC pact puts Trump legal bills ahead of GOP
Speed Read The former president has struck a deal with the Republican National Committee to put donations toward his legal bills
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Vietnam president resigns amid scandal
Speed Read Vietnam loses its second president in two years as Vo Van Thuong steps down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Texas migrant law in limbo after Supreme Court OK
Speed Read The law has been blocked again, mere hours after the Supreme Court allowed the state to arrest migrants
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Cubans rally for 'power and food' in rare protests
Speed Read The protests came after 18-hour rolling blackouts and food supply shortages
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published