Pelosi picks NM Hispanic to lead Democratic campaign committee

In a surprise move, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has chosen Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) to be the next chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

{mosads}”I’m pleased to recommend to our colleagues Congressman Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, a dynamic and forward-looking leader with the fresh energy and ideas House Democrats need for victory in 2016,” Pelosi said in a Monday afternoon press conference. “He has the bold vision and determined leadership to deliver wins in difficult districts.”

Lujan, 42, will be the first Hispanic chairman of the DCCC, and faces the difficult task of helping Democrats cut into the GOP’s at least 29-seat majority. 

He brings a new and much younger face to Democratic leadership and adds another Hispanic leader in a time where Democratic outreach to Latinos is crucial. Lujan most recently served as a chief whip of the caucus and a vice chairman in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He’s also a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and worked with the DCCC to focus on Latino districts in 2014.

He comes from a powerful New Mexico political family — his father, Ben Lujan, was the powerful speaker of the New Mexico statehouse for decades.

Lujan was quick to bring up his family, telling reporters that he had delayed the press conference because he “couldn’t get mom off the phone” in an “emotional” and “joyous” conversation.

“My father, who passed away two years ago, was a former speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives and was actively involved from a grassroots perspective of organizing leaders and making sure that we were looking out for the working people of America,” he said in the press conference.

“There will be great opportunities in 2016 to make gains with a more favorable electorate during a presidential year, and with many districts held by Republicans that President Obama won we will be on the offensive to putting the majority in play,” Lujan said.

The congressman, who is entering his fourth term, will replace Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), who served two terms as chairman of the DCCC. He will remain in leadership in a newly created position, as chairman of policy and communications, Pelosi announced.

Pelosi is expected to easily win another term as House Minority Leader Tuesday. She chose Lujan over other rumored frontrunners, including Reps. Jim Himes (Conn.), Donna Edwards (Md.), Jared Polis (Colo.) and Lois Frankel (Fla.), all of whom have held previous leadership roles with the DCCC.

The Washington Post first reported Lujan’s appointment.

This post was last updated at 4:55 p.m.