NAMBÉ, N.M. - Ben Ray Luján’s campaign launched his latest television ad in the New Mexico Senate race. The ad called “Keep Working” highlights Luján’s work to expand economic opportunities for New Mexicans while debunking [his opponent in the Nov. 3 election] Mark Ronchetti’s baseless claims that Luján supports guaranteed salaries for people who refuse to work.
“Growing up on a small farm, I was raised to treat others with respect and dignity and to value hard work. These are New Mexican values,” said Ben Ray Luján. “I was taught there are no free rides, but that opportunity should be available to everyone, and you have to be willing to work for it. As senator, I will keep fighting to give our kids every chance to succeed, to expand job opportunities, and to keep New Mexicans working.”
Mark Ronchetti made this false claim yet again in [the October 12] Monday KOB4 televsion debate, despite it having no basis in fact. Luján does not support - nor has he ever voted for - guaranteed salaries for people who refuse to work. Ronchetti’s claims rely on a widely debunked rightwing theory, fact checked nationally multiple times. [Factcheck.org, 2/15/19] [Business Insider, 2/9/19]
Luján believes in the dignity of a paycheck and that is why he has fought in Congress to create jobs for New Mexicans. Luján has secured investments in our national labs and has supported New Mexico’s small businesses. [Santa Fe New Mexican, 7/1/20] [Gallup Sun, 4/16/20]
In Congress, Luján has been an outspoken advocate for New Mexico’s National Labs. He introduced the DOE [Department of Energy] National Laboratory Jobs ACCESS Act to expand training programs for young people to gain the technical skills needed to build a career in science, innovation, and research at the National Labs.
“Keep Working” is part of a multi-million-dollar, bilingual ad campaign by the Luján campaign that will run through Election Day.