Luján secures second Senate term after write-in rival trails

New Mexico voters returned Ben Ray Luján to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, granting the Democrat a second six-year term in Washington. The result locks down the junior seat for the state as Democrats work to retain control of the chamber during President Donald Trump’s final two years in office.

Luján, 53, defeated Republican Larry Marker, a 62-year-old oil and gas businessman from Roswell. According to unofficial election totals and television network projections, Luján led by double-digit points when the race was called. The outcome confirms a victory that appeared likely given Luján’s six terms in the House and nearly six years in the Senate prior to this contest.

The general election featured a unique dynamic for the Republican side. Marker had to launch a write-in campaign to qualify for the November ballot after the party’s original candidate failed to meet filing requirements. His effort collected more than 31,000 votes, a threshold sufficient to place his name on the ballot statewide. In a prior interview with the Journal, Marker described the odds of challenging an established incumbent. “I’m not delusional,” he said. “I know it’s a challenge.”

Luján’s path to the general election was straightforward. He defeated Farmington Democrat Matt Dodson in the June primary, capturing 84 percent of the vote. The Senator entered the fall campaign with substantial fundraising advantages and high name recognition. A September poll by the Journal showed Luján leading Marker 53 percent to 38 percent among likely voters.

Campaign promises centered on economic stability and infrastructure. Luján pledged to address rising household costs and create jobs for New Mexico workers. He argued that the state should leverage its national laboratories, military installations, and expanding space industry. He also called for better links between colleges, trade schools, and employers to prepare young residents for the workforce.

On the national stage, Luján criticized President Trump’s tariff strategy. He argued that broad import taxes increased costs for consumers and businesses, though he said strategically applied tariffs could be useful. He also pledged to protect public lands from widespread sales and support safeguards for artificial intelligence, including measures against misinformation and threats to children.

A last-minute legal dispute added a layer of complexity to the race. The League of Women Voters mixed up a photo of Marker in its general election voter guide. The Republican Party sued to stop the guide’s distribution at polling places. District Judge Jared Kallunki in Roswell ordered county clerks to remove the guides statewide. Hannah Burling, president of the League of Women Voters of New Mexico, apologized for the error, stating that voters deserve accurate information when choosing their representatives.

Luján first won the Senate seat in 2020 after representing northern New Mexico in the House for 12 years. During his first term, he helped advance legislation expanding compensation for people exposed to radiation from nuclear testing and uranium mining. He also secured federal assistance for victims of the 2022 Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire. The Senator survived a serious stroke in January 2022, which required hospitalization and surgery, before returning to his duties and advocating for stroke awareness.