INDEPENDENT2026

The Full Read · Article by Article

Ben Ray Luján

Sen · D–NM
5/7
📚 Summer School
📚 Summer school. Ben Ray Luján holds 5 of seven stars — but fails a critical Article (Open Books). Assignment: summer school for Civics, watch every Schoolhouse Rock episode five times, and submit a one-page report — due before the end of the year. Report to summer school →

Rhetorical, not literal — an opinion on conduct measured against our civics standard. Ratings terms · Challenge this review

1Open Bookscritical
18%☆ not yet
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
30.9% of receipts from PACs — over the 15% cap; fails the money floor. (FEC 2026)
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
82%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
No 2020 election denial and no documented support for partisan gerrymandering. (Jan 6 roll call; redistricting record)
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
70%★ earned
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Low-key, collegial manner; no documented dehumanizing rhetoric toward opponents.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
68%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Affirmative agenda (opioid funding, broadband); no notable grievance-driven messaging.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
68%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
No documented fact-check failures; limited public record on this dimension.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
48%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Strong bipartisan-cosponsorship record but generally party-line voting; moderate independence.
60
7Morality
75%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No documented personal-ethics issue on record.
60

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Every public channel, one click. Hold them to it — warmly, in the register of right speech.

Official siteEmail / contact form202-224-6621@SenatorLujanFacebookInstagram
498 Russell Senate Office Building
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →

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