Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), who has taken an active interest in Department of Energy facilities in New Mexico, has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, but should make a full recovery, his office staff said in a Twitter posting on Tuesday.
In an article citing senior aides to the lawmaker, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported Thursday Luján might take four to six weeks before returning to his Senate duties in Washington, D.C.
The absence has political significance given the Senate’s 50-50 split between Republicans and Democrats. The New Mexico paper suggested a lengthy recovery could delay Senate deliberation on the Joe Biden administration’s as-yet-unmade pick for the Supreme Court vacancy being created by the impending retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer.
Early last Thursday, Jan. 27, Luján age 49, experienced dizziness and fatigue before checking into Christus St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Santa Fe and subsequently moved to the University Hospital in Albuquerque, according to the statement.
After medical providers concluded the senator had suffered a stroke in the cerebellum affecting his balance, Luján subsequently underwent decompressive surgery to ease swelling, according to the statement.
“He is currently being cared for at UNM Hospital, resting comfortably and expected to make a full recovery,” the statement goes on to say. While Luján “looks forward to getting back to work for the people of New Mexico,” right now he and the family appreciate privacy “and ask for your continued prayers and well wishes.”
A member of the Senate Budget Committee, Luján is in his first Senate term, having defeated Republican Mark Ronchetti in November 2020 to succeed two-term Democratic incumbent Tom Udall who opted not to seek re-election. Before the Senate, Luján served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011, eventually becoming the Democrat Party’s assistant majority leader in the chamber, and also serving on the House Cleanup Caucus, which is active in nuclear cleanup issues.
