And New Mexico delivered. You elected Deb Haaland and Xochitl Torres Small – two of the fiercest members in the United States House. In 2018, we elected the most diverse, the youngest, and the most-female Congress in history. Someday, you’ll tell your children about this moment in our country’s history. Let us also tell them about how you led our country onto a better path. We have to show up because our lives depend on it. Our rights depend on it. Our future depends on it. Don’t those sound like New Mexico values to you? That the air we breathe be free of pollution and the water we drink free of chemicals. It’s with great honor that I stand before you today, the son of Ben and Carmen Lujan, the grandson of Luis and Cleotilde, and Celedon and Nestora, and of generations who held great pride in our shared histories, family and united cultures. It starts here, today, in this room with you showing up to make your voices heard. Can I count on you New Mexico?Are you ready to get to work? Are you ready to take back the Senate? Are you ready to take back the White House? Like so many of you, my family, mi familia, taught me early a love for this land – Esta Tierra Sagrada – that we call home. We win to restore the faith people have in our Democracy and the rule of law. We win for New Mexico!Two years ago, I stood before you to say this election was the most important of our lifetimes. That the right to health care, education, justice, and equality should not be reserved for the rich or for the few. When mom’s parents, Luis and Cleotilde, almost lost their lives in a car crash, aunts and uncles, mom and dad and all of the cousins cared for them. Because that’s what families do. My family had pride in creating a life for us that, to this day, remains deeply connected to the land and the water. My dad was a union ironworker with local 495. My mom worked for the public schools, right here in Pojoaque. Mom and Dad taught us that there was no job too big or too small. From cleaning the Acequias or shoveling out the barn to preparing a meal for a stranger. We were raised to work with our hands and to follow our hearts, to take pride in the job. It’s the values we were raised with that shapes the ideals we fight for today. That the American Dream should be available to all regardless of their background, identities, skin color, gender, ethnicity, or religious beliefs. Senatorial candidate Ben Ray LujánPOLITICAL News:POJOAQUE – Today, Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico’s Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, addressed delegates at the statewide pre-primary nominating convention at Buffalo Thunder Resort.Below are his remarks, as prepared for delivery:Good morning New Mexico! When we work together, we win for families and children, for health care, and equality, for veterans and teachers, for organized labor and our environment. I come from a family of pioneers. Of survivors who braved the elements and embraced the challenges and the opportunities of building our home in New Mexico – before we were even a state. Each of you has a story that explains why you are here today. A story that connects to our shared values and principles, shaped by trials and tribulations, and intertwined with hopes and aspirations. I’m proud to have you in this fight – because I know that when we work together, we win together. They taught me about service and caring for others. There was always a seat open at our table and a friend in need was never met with a closed door. These are the values that drive me. They are the reasons I serve New Mexicans in the U.S. House of Representatives and why I am running for the United States Senate. In good times, we rallied together to share in the joy. In times of tragedy, we came together to mourn with one another. That students be able to attend school free from gun violence. My name is Ben Ray Luján, I humbly ask for your support and your vote to be New Mexico’s next United States. Senator.Thank you New Mexico, let’s get to work. It’s those stories that help others understand why we must rise together, to speak up for those without a voice, and stamp out hate and injustice. We’ve broken barriers and have begun to change how Washington works. But we are just getting started. That people had to come together to save our Democracy and our country. Thank you for all that you do to fight for our state and protect our democracy. I learned the importance of treating others with respect and dignity. When I was young, my dad’s parents, Grandpa Celedon and Grandma Nestora, helped care for us. When they were older, we helped care for them. Now I’m calling on you again. This moment has found us. It requires us to act. It’s those stories that drive us. That every veteran who served our nation should return home heroes, and that we must fulfill our commitments to these brave men and women. That Social Security and Medicare must always be preserved and protected. That children must not be separated from their families and put in cages. We can, but only if we unite and work together. Because when we work together we win together. That every child living in our country should have equal opportunities — regardless of the zip code they are born in.
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