Federal race · November 3, 2026
U.S. Senator
U.S. senators represent New Mexico in the U.S. Senate, voting on federal legislation and budgets, confirming presidential nominees, and ratifying treaties.
6-year term. Regular election for the full six-year term beginning Jan. 3, 2027. Incumbent Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D) is seeking a second term. Two candidates are printed on the ballot. Republican Larry Marker won his party's June 2, 2026 primary as a write-in candidate and appears on the general-election ballot. The Secretary of State's candidate list shows the other filers for this office (Forward Party and independent candidates) as disqualified.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name.
Ben Ray Luján
U.S. Senator from New Mexico (since 2021)Luján grew up on a family farm in Nambé, served on the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, and represented the 3rd Congressional District for 12 years before winning his Senate seat in 2020. He won the June 2026 Democratic primary over Matt Dodson. His campaign focuses on lowering costs, protecting health care and safety-net programs, and opposing Trump administration policies.
Larry Marker
Works in constructionMarker works in construction in Roswell and previously worked in the oil industry. He has filed a series of lawsuits against state officials over COVID-19 rules, election administration, and abortion laws, which his campaign presents as "Defending Your Rights." He won the June 2026 Republican primary as a write-in candidate with about 31,000 votes. His campaign focuses on oil and gas production, border security, and agriculture.
Compare on the issues
Summaries of each candidate's stated positions. See each profile for sources and details.
| Issue | Ben Ray Luján Democratic | Larry Marker Republican |
|---|---|---|
| Abortion | Voted to advance the Women's Health Protection Act, which would establish a federal statutory right to provide and receive abortion services. | Describes his slate as "the most pro-life group of candidates that New Mexico has ever had." Filed lawsuits seeking to halt abortions in New Mexico after Roe v. Wade was overturned; the cases were dismissed. |
| Immigration | Said in January 2026 that he would vote against Homeland Security funding without oversight and accountability measures, after federal immigration agents fatally shot two people in Minneapolis, and called for an independent investigation of one of the shootings. | Says he would "shut down the fentanyl pipeline" and supports Border Patrol and local law enforcement. |
| Agriculture | No public position found yet | Says he would stop regulatory actions against farmers and livestock producers and defend grazing rights, water access, and working land. |
| Economy & Jobs | Says President Trump's tariffs "raise costs for working families and fuel economic instability." Backed legislation to reverse 2025 cuts to SNAP food assistance. | No public position found yet |
| Education | No public position found yet | Says oil and gas revenue funds schools and pledges to defend the growth of New Mexico's Land Grant Permanent Fund. |
| Elections & Democracy | No public position found yet | Filed lawsuits against the Secretary of State over election integrity and election equipment; the equipment case was denied. |
| Energy & Environment | No public position found yet | Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy including oil, gas, hydrogen, and nuclear; would require firm federal permitting deadlines, with permits deemed approved if agencies miss them. |
| Foreign Policy | Says he has voted 14 times to end the U.S. war in Iran. | No public position found yet |
| Health Care | Led a Senate Democratic proposal to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and says rural hospitals are under threat from federal health care cuts. | No public position found yet |
| Public Safety | Says four of his bills on fentanyl addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery became law as part of the SUPPORT Act. | No public position found yet |
| Social Security & Medicare | Says he will "protect and strengthen Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security" and defend nutrition assistance for working families, seniors, veterans, and rural communities. | No public position found yet |
| Trump Administration | No public position found yet | Says he backs President Trump's policies but is not a fan of Trump's personality. |