The New Mexico congressman whose district covers the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s wants a leadership role with the House Democrats, who in midterm elections Tuesday secured control of the lower chamber for the next two years.
Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a five-term congressman who just won a sixth, announced the move online Wednesday, including on Twitter.
Today I announced that I’m running for Assistant Democratic Leader in the 116th Congress. pic.twitter.com/tXiVwzfugp
— Ben Ray Lujan (@repbenraylujan) November 7, 2018
After New Mexico’s other House members chose to run for governor rather than re-election — Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) looked to have the race against Rep. Steve Pearce (R) locked up at deadline Wednesday for Weapons Complex Morning Briefing — Luján is the state’s longest-tenured U.S. representative.
Luján now will compete in an intra-party race for what is presently the third-highest rung on the House Democratic leadership ladder, after minority leader and whip. The assistant leader will drop to fourth in leadership seniority after some Democrat — presumably former speaker and current Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) — becomes speaker of the House for the 116th Congress.
Within the Democratic Party, Luján, a reliable vote for the Los Alamos National Laboratory, was most recently chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Luján faces two challengers for the assistant leader position, CQ Roll Call reported: Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) and David Cicilline (D-R.I.)