Ben Ray Luján

In the 2020 Senate race for NM Senate seat, Ben Ray Luján (D) won with 51.7% of the vote, defeating Mark V. Ronchetti (R) who received 45.6%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Ben Ray Luján's 6.1-point lead over the runner-up showed solid but not overwhelming support.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Martin T Heinrich (D) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. This seat will likely stay on party watch lists as potentially competitive in future cycles.