--- title: "Luján vs. Marker: 2026 New Mexico Senate race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-senate-nm" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 New Mexico Senate race: Ben Ray Luján (D) vs. Larry E. Marker (R) Rating: Likely D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 Incumbent Democratic Senator Ben Ray Luján faces Republican Larry E. Marker in the 2026 general election for U.S. Senate in New Mexico. Marker secured the Republican nomination through a write-in primary campaign after receiving over 4,500 write-in votes to meet the state ballot threshold. The race centers on energy production, southern border security, agriculture, and economic relief for working families. ## Candidates - **Ben Ray Luján** (Democrat, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://benraylujan.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ben_Ray_Luján) - **Larry E. Marker** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://larrymarker.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Larry_Marker) ## Issues ### Energy and Environment Salience: high Marker advocates for protecting traditional oil and gas production to secure state education revenues, while Luján supports expanding clean energy investments and protecting public lands. **Ben Ray Luján:** Supports clean energy and conservation Luján advocates for investments in clean energy and national renewable energy standards to move away from foreign oil dependence. He opposes diverting national park entry fees away from park maintenance and serves on Senate committees addressing energy, natural resources, and infrastructure. - Voted to invest in clean energy and supported a national renewable energy standard. - Opposes redirection of national park entry fees away from park maintenance. - Assigned to Senate Finance subcommittees on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure. > “Ben Ray Luján voted to invest in clean energy and move our country away from our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.” > — Ben Ray Luján, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ben_Ray_Luján) > “Trump is stealing National Park entry fees to bankroll his vanity projects. That money is meant for park maint...” > — Ben Ray Luján, via [Campaign site](https://benraylujan.com) **Larry E. Marker:** Supports oil gas and nuclear Marker promotes an all-of-the-above energy strategy centered on defending New Mexico's traditional oil and gas sector to protect jobs and public school funding. He vows to eliminate federal permitting delays while expanding oil, gas, hydrogen, and nuclear innovation. - Stop federal permitting paralysis and regulatory overreach in energy production. - Protect oil and gas revenues that anchor rural communities and fund public schools. - Make New Mexico a leader in oil, gas, hydrogen, and nuclear energy. > “Larry Marker’s all-of-the-above strategy starts by defending the industry that funds classrooms and anchors rural communities.” > — Larry E. Marker, via [Campaign site](https://larrymarker.com/) ### Border Security and Immigration Salience: high Marker calls for strict border shutdowns and enforcement against cartels, whereas Luján supported the Border Act of 2024 but opposed mandatory detention rules in the Laken Riley Act. **Ben Ray Luján:** Supports targeted border legislation Luján supported bipartisan border legislation to enhance Department of Homeland Security operational capabilities, but opposed measures mandating federal detention for noncitizens arrested for specific theft offences. He also voted to dismiss impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. - Voted YEA on the Border Act of 2024 (S.4361) to increase DHS border management capabilities. - Voted NAY on the Laken Riley Act (S.5) requiring federal detention for undocumented immigrants arrested for burglary or theft. - Voted YEA to dismiss articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. **Larry E. Marker:** Supports strict border enforcement Marker emphasizes securing the southern border as a primary duty to combat drug cartels, human trafficking, and lethal fentanyl entering local communities. He advocates for increased support for Border Patrol and local law enforcement while opposing policies that shield violent offenders. - Shut down drug cartel fentanyl trafficking pipelines. - Expand resources and backing for Border Patrol and local law enforcement. - Oppose policies and regulations that shield violent offenders. > “The first duty of government is to keep its citizens safe. For too long, New Mexico’s border has been a gateway for criminal cartels, human traffickers, and a flood of lethal fentanyl that is devastating our families and claiming the lives of our children.” > — Larry E. Marker, via [Campaign site](https://larrymarker.com/) ### Agriculture and Food Assistance Salience: high Marker focuses on curbing federal agency regulations on farmers and protecting grazing rights, while Luján focuses on protecting federal food and nutrition programs for families. **Ben Ray Luján:** Supports federal nutrition assistance Luján prioritizes protecting and expanding federal nutrition assistance programs for low-income families and children while serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee. He strongly criticizes congressional cuts to child nutrition benefits. - Serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research. - Criticized federal budget cuts to nutrition programs that removed food aid from New Mexico children. - Voted for the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which modified SNAP work requirements. > “Republicans stripped food off the table of 10,000 New Mexican children. No child should go hungry because of a...” > — Ben Ray Luján, via [Campaign site](https://benraylujan.com) > “With the cost of groceries still rising and Republican cuts to nutrition programs, too many parents are wonder...” > — Ben Ray Luján, via [Campaign site](https://benraylujan.com) **Larry E. Marker:** Opposes agricultural regulations Marker opposes federal agency regulations that he argues burden New Mexico farmers and livestock producers. He pledges to protect grazing rights, water access, and working lands against regulatory litigation and agency overreach. - Stop regulatory abuse and selective enforcement against farmers and livestock producers. - Defend land grazing rights and agricultural water access. - Push back on administrative lawfare from unelected federal agencies. > “New Mexico agriculture is a foundation of rural life, food production, and land stewardship.” > — Larry E. Marker, via [Campaign site](https://larrymarker.com/) ### Economy and Cost of Living Salience: medium **Ben Ray Luján:** Supports consumer protections tax relief Luján emphasizes lowering household costs, protecting consumers from unfair financial practices, and extending tax relief for working families. His record includes supporting credit card consumer protections, tax relief bills, and financial reforms. - Cosponsored the Credit Card Holder's Bill of Rights and backed Wall Street reform amendments preventing bank market domination. - Voted YEA on the No Tax on Tips Act (S.129) and the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. - Voted NAY on H.R.1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) reconciliation. > “Ben Ray is working to lower costs, create good-paying jobs, and ensure families across New Mexico have access to affordable health care, strong schools, and real economic opportunity.” > — Ben Ray Luján, via [Campaign site](https://benraylujan.com) **Larry E. Marker:** No documented position in our sources ### Healthcare Salience: medium **Ben Ray Luján:** Supports expanding healthcare access Luján advocates for expanding healthcare access, protecting Medicare benefits for seniors, and codifying reproductive healthcare options such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). - Voted YEA on the Right to IVF Act (S.4445) to codify access to fertility treatments. - Voted YEA on S.2882 to permanently extend expanded health insurance premium tax credits and Medicaid funding. - Pledges to protect Traditional Medicare and reduce health costs for seniors. > “No senior should have to choose between their health and their savings. Under Traditional Medicare, getting si...” > — Ben Ray Luján, via [Campaign site](https://benraylujan.com) **Larry E. Marker:** No documented position in our sources ### Foreign Policy and Defense Salience: medium **Ben Ray Luján:** Opposes foreign interventions supports defense Luján has voiced opposition to presidential war actions while voting for federal defense authorizations and emergency foreign assistance packages for allies. - Voted YEA on National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2026. - Voted YEA on emergency supplemental foreign aid (H.R.815) for Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine. - Voted repeatedly in Congress against unilateral executive military operations. > “I just cast my 12th vote to put a stop to Trump's deadly war. Republicans keep letting Trump use your tax dol...” > — Ben Ray Luján, via [Campaign site](https://benraylujan.com) > “Trump's war of choice has continued despite his many claims that it is ending and his bogus 'peace deal.'” > — Ben Ray Luján, via [Campaign site](https://benraylujan.com) **Larry E. Marker:** No documented position in our sources ### Scientific Research and Technology Salience: low **Ben Ray Luján:** Supports national lab research Luján supports expanding scientific research and commercial technology transfers at New Mexico's national laboratories, including Los Alamos National Laboratory. - Authored legislation encouraging scientific research and funding at Los Alamos National Laboratory. - Co-chaired the Tech Transfer Caucus and authored legislation on Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) to foster laboratory-business partnerships. - Voted YEA on the GENIUS Act (S.1582) creating a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. **Larry E. Marker:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/new-mexico-senate-election-winner) — New Mexico Senate Election Winner: Democrats 98.9%, Republicans 1.4% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/SENATENM-26) — New Mexico Senate winner?: Ben Ray Luján 98.6%, Larry E. Marker 1.7% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-senate-nm)