Ben Ray Luján is the projected winner over Mark Ronchetti in the US Senate race in New Mexico
- Polls have closed in the race between Democratic Rep. Ben Ray Luján and Republican Mark Ronchetti, who are facing off for US Senate in New Mexico.
- Luján is the projected winner, according to Decision Desk HQ.
- Luján has represented New Mexico's 3rd District since 2009, and has served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and House Assistant Democratic Leader.
- Luján outraised Ronchetti by a nearly five-to-one ratio.
- See the live coverage and full results from the U.S. Senate elections
Democratic Rep. Ben Ray Luján is the projected winner in the race against Republican Mark Ronchetti for US Senate in New Mexico.
The candidates
Luján has represented New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District, which includes the northern part of the state and the state's capital of Santa Fe, for over a decade since 2009. He previously served on New Mexico's Public Regulation Commission.
In the House, Luján took on leadership positions as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, House Democrats' campaign arm, from 2015 to 2019. He currently serves as the House Assistant Democratic Leader, making him currently the highest-ranking Hispanic member of the House.
Luján announced his candidacy for US Senate in 2019 shortly after current Sen. Mark Udall announced his retirement, and quickly cleared the field to secure the Democratic nomination.
His campaign platform emphasized investing in New Mexico families and improving opportunities and outcomes for children, strengthening New Mexico's economy, especially at New Mexico's bases and national labs, and protecting New Mexico's natural resources and public lands.
Ronchetti, the Republican candidate, is a former TV news reporter and meteorologist in Albuquerque. His campaign platform emphasizes lowering taxes and bringing more economic development to New Mexico, protecting 2nd Amendment rights, and bolstering security along the US' southern border.
Lujan outraised Ronchetti by a nearly five-to-one-ratio, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Lujan brought in $6.1 million and has over $3.3 million cash on hand. Ronchetti raised $1.38 million and has $570,000 in cash on hand.
Polls showed Lujan leading Ronchetti, and experts like the Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rated the race between Smith and Lewis as "safe Democratic" while Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics rated it "likely Democratic."