Friends —

I grew up on a small farm in Nambé, New Mexico. My dad was a union ironworker and mom was a public school employee. They taught me the importance of hard work and caring for your neighbor. We might not have had much, but we had familia , and that’s what really mattered when times got tough.

There’s no question that COVID-19 has been one of the most challenging events in our lifetimes. Hundreds of thousands have fallen ill and many of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones have been taken too soon. And today, this public health and economic crisis has devastated our communities for a full year.

So many kids are still out of school. People are out of work and small businesses continue to struggle. Too many folks throughout our state, our country, and around the world have lost loved ones. And as this public health crisis has devastated our state and our country over the past year, I’ve thought a lot about the importance of family and community.

New Mexicans have really looked out for each other during this crisis, and I’m so proud of how everyone has stepped up to keep us healthy and protect our most vulnerable.

Thank you to all the essential workers out there for keeping New Mexico going. And for everything each and every one of you does to keep our community safe. We all want to get back to normal. It’s a team effort, and we’re all in it together.

To do my part, I have worked to get resources our state needs in the House and now, I’m continuing that work in the U.S. Senate. I’ve secured investments in our health care infrastructure, provided financial aid to workers and small businesses, expanded broadband access to underserved areas, and fought for rural communities.

I’ve always said New Mexico is worth fighting for, and today, that’s never been more true. That’s why I’ve worked to deliver on what matters.

The path to recovery from this crisis will be a long one. But as your new Senator, I’ll be there with you every step of the way as we make New Mexico stronger than ever. And I won’t stop fighting until every New Mexican gets back on their feet. After all, that’s what family is for.

Thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to read my message today. Please, continue wearing your mask and practicing social distancing — to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Stay safe, be well, and take care.

— Ben Ray

P.S. Even in the midst of unprecedented challenges, folks like you have shown heroic resilience and a fierce resistance to despair. If you’re interested in supporting a local organization that is helping folks who are struggling during this crisis, chip in any amount meaningful to you right here: [[link removed]]

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People for Ben
PO Box 25371
Albuquerque, NM 87125
United States
www.benraylujan.com | [email protected]

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