Introduction & Highlights DT: December 14, 2015 TO: Mr. Chairman, Kelly Ward, Hayley Dierker, Ty Matsdorf, Dan Sena, Aaron Trujillo FR: DCCC Research RE: BRL Research The following report contains research on Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Ben Ray Luján, representative for New Mexico’s Third Congressional District. Research for this book was conducted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Research Department and Gordon Loewen Research between February and November 2015. As this document is meant to focus primarily on topline information regarding Luján’s career – particularly as it could relate to or impact the work of the DCCC – this research report has intentionally and unintentionally left out certain material. Consequently, there may be omissions or areas that need further exploring. Should further information be needed on a particular topic, please feel free to contact us. Significant effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this report. However, before using the materials contained in this report for use in any public forum, always double-check the facts to verify your claims. The DCCC Research Department is available at all times to assist in such fact-checking efforts. Should further information be needed on a particular topic, please feel free to contact us. TOPIC HIGHLIGHTS Thematics Nepotism Dating back to his 2004 campaign for PRC, Luján has repeatedly been accused of benefiting from political patronage as a result of Speaker Luján’s influence Luján and Speaker Luján shared a mailing address at the family compound and Speaker Luján filed Luján’s campaign finance report for him in 2004 In 2008, Speaker Luján reversed his position on a ballot eligibility bill that would help Luján’s congressional bid and was accused of working behind the scenes to remove primary opponents from the ballot Luján was appointed administrative services director for the Department of Cultural Affairs in 2003 – a position the Cultural Affairs Secretary noted was usually filed by someone with
In 2010, Luján was endorsed by the NRA – he accepted $3500 in contributions in 2010-2011 Health Care In 2103, Luján backed delaying the ACA enrollment deadline in the wake of widespread website problems In 2010, Luján expressed skepticism regarding the proposal to tax Cadillac health plans In 2009 and 2010, Luján was an adamant supporter of the public option and suggested he would support a surtax on wealthy Americans and small business owners to pay for a public option Immigration Luján advocated for President Obama to take executive action on the deferred deportation policy In 2013, Luján urged DHS to work with the state of New Mexico on implementation of REAL ID given the state’s encouragement to undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses In 2009, Luján voted against an amendment to bar the use of federal funds to employ undocumented workers Labor In 2012 and 2013, Luján backed extensions of the federal civilian pay freeze LGBT Issues Luján supported marriage equality Taxes In 2010, Luján voted against extending the Bush tax cuts for two years In 2011, Luján pledged to support measures to ease the estate tax Technology In 2014, Luján cosponsored net neutrality legislation In 2011, Luján cosponsored the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)
Methodology DATABASE NOTES (e.g., search term(s), URL, etc.) Nexis – News Ben Ray Luján AND ATLEAST4(Luján) – May 20, 2011-May 15, 2015 Ben Ray Luján AND ATLEAST2(Luján) – dates prior to May 20, 2011 Nexis – Comprehensive Person Report Luján Ben! R! in New Mexico Nexis – Bankruptcy, Judgments, & Liens Luján Ben