Luján to supporters in 3rd district race: ‘Hold me accountable’

Son of state House speaker officially announces his campaign for U.S. House seat

Steve Terrell | The New Mexican

12/14/2007 -

Surrounded by family members and several members of the state House of Representatives gathered in the Rotunda of the state Capitol, an emotional Public Regulation Commissioner Ben Ray Luján formally announced Friday that he's running for Congress.

Luján, 35, the son of powerful House Speaker Ben Luján, D-Nambé, enters the 3rd District race as the presumed front-runner for the seat Democrat Tom Udall is giving up to run for the U.S. Senate seat held for the past 35 years by Republican Pete Domenici, who is retiring.

In introducing Ben Ray Luján, PRC Commissioner Jason Marks praised his work on the commission.

Several times during his speech — especially when he spoke of family members — Ben Ray Luján choked with emotion. Critics say his influential father is paving the way for his nomination, but the candidate never downplays his close relation with the elder Luján.

He told friends, relatives and supporters in the crowded Rotunda that he was counting on them to "hold me accountable" if he's elected and to not let him forget where he came from.

Like his father, Ben Ray Luján is a soft-spoken man quick with a smile and a handshake.

The younger Luján touched upon several national issues in his speech. He said ending the Iraq war is a top priority, as is taking care of returning war veterans.

He criticized President Bush for vetoing bills to expand health insurance for children. The younger Luján said he'd work to solve the global warming problem and scrap the No Child Left Behind act to improve education.

After his speech, a reception line formed with supporters waiting to shake hands with the candidate and pose for pictures, which were being taken by Juan Rios, consumer relations director at the PRC.

Among the legislators who attended the announcement were Santa Fe Reps. Luciano "Lucky" Varela and Jim Trujillo. Also there to support the younger Luján were at least two cabinet secretaries from Gov. Bill Richardson's administration: Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught and Stuart Ashman, who was Luján's boss at the Department of Cultural Affairs. Luján was an administrator with the department when he was elected to the PRC in 2004.

County Clerk Valerie Espinoza was at the announcement wearing a Luján sticker.

Also attending were Santa Fe Mayor David Coss and County Sheriff Greg Solano, who had considered running for the congressional seat.

Coss said he wasn't endorsing any candidate in the race. "Harry's a colleague of mine," he said, referring to County Commissioner Harry Montoya, who also is running. "But I like Ben a lot. I backed his (primary) opponent when he ran for PRC. But he's done a great job at the PRC."

Solano, who says he is running for lieutenant governor in 2010, declined to say whom he's backing in the congressional race. "I'll support the Democratic candidate," he said.

Besides Montoya, other Democrats seeking Udall's spot include Santa Fe developer Don Wiviott and Bennie Shendo Jr., whose last day as state Indian Affairs secretary was Friday. Shendo hasn't announced his candidacy but has said he will run for the seat.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com.