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Ben Ray Lujan on Crime

 

 


Voted for George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020

Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?

Ben Ray Lujan: Yes. Voted for George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 "to provide justice for victims of police brutality."

Mark Ronchetti: No. Believes "police officers are good people risking their lives to protect our community and have earned our support."

Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 New Mexico Senate race , Sep 30, 2020

End for-profit prisons, cash bail, mandatory minimums

It is my strong belief that corporations should not profit from human suffering. I've rejected private prison money in my Senate race and support ending for-profit prisons. Creating a more just criminal justice system begins with our courts. We must end the unfair and discriminatory cash bail system that punishes lower-income individuals with prolonged detention. We must trust judges to distribute equal and fair verdicts by ending the use of mandatory minimums--an inherently racist policy.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com , Jul 8, 2020

Voted YES on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes.

Congressional Summary:Adopts the definition of "hate crime" as set forth in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994: a crime in which the defendant intentionally selects a victim, or in the case of a property crime, the property that is the object of the crime, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation of any person. Provides technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or other assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of hate crimes, including financial grant awards.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Rep. JOHN CONYERS (D, MI-14):This bill expands existing Federal hate crimes law to groups who are well-known targets for bias-based violence--they are sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability. These crimes of violence are directed not just at those who are directly attacked; they are targeting the entire group with the threat of violence.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. LAMAR SMITH (R, TX-21): Every year thousands of violent crimes are committed out of hate, but just as many violent crimes, if not more, are motivated by something other than hate--greed, jealousy, desperation or revenge, just to name a few. An individual's motivation for committing a violent crime is usually complex and often speculative. Every violent crime is deplorable, regardless of its motivation. That's why all violent crimes should be vigorously prosecuted. Unfortunately, this bill undermines one of the most basic principles of our criminal justice system--equal justice for all. Under this bill, justice will no longer be equal. Justice will now depend on the race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or other protected status of the victim. It will allow different penalties to be imposed for the same crime. This is the real injustice.

Reference: Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act; Bill HR.1913 ; vote number 2009-H223 on Apr 2, 2009

Sponsored evidence-based & proven prevention for street gangs.

Lujan co-sponsored Youth PROMISE Act

Congressional Summary:Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education Act or the Youth Promise Act:

Opponent's argument against bill: (Dissenting views on

Source: H.R.1318 13-H1318 on Mar 21, 2013

First step: reduce recidivism & mass incarceration.

Lujan voted YEA First Step Act

Congressional Summary:

Opposing press release from Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-1):: The reform sentencing laws in this bill may compromise the safety of our communities. Criminals convicted of violent crimes would have the opportunity to achieve 'low risk' status and become eligible for early release. California already has similar laws in place--Propositions 47 and 57--which have hamstrung law enforcement and caused a significant uptick in crime.

Supporting press release from Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10):: S. 756 establishes a new system to reduce the risk that [federal prisoners] will commit crimes once they are released. Critically, S. 756 would not only implement these reforms to our prison system, but it also takes a crucial first step toward addressing grave concerns about our sentencing laws, which have for years fed a national crisis of mass incarceration. The bill is a 'first step' that demonstrates that we can work together to make the system fairer in ways that will also reduce crime and victimization.

Legislative outcome: Concurrence Passed Senate, 87-12-1, on Dec. 18, 2018; Concurrence Passed House 358-36-28, Dec. 20, 2018; President Trump signed, Dec. 21, 2018

Source: Congressional vote 18-S756 on Dec 20, 2018

Rated 85% by the NAPO, indicating a tough-on-crime stance.

Lujan scores 85% by the NAPO on crime & police issues

Ratings by the National Association of Police Organizations indicate support or opposition to issues of importance to police and crime. The organization's self-description: "The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police units and associations from across the United States. NAPO was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action, and education.

"Increasingly, the rights and interests of law enforcement officers have been the subject of legislative, executive, and judicial action in the nation’s capital. NAPO works to influence the course of national affairs where law enforcement interests are concerned. The following list includes examples of NAPO’s accomplishments:

VoteMatch scoring for the NAPO ratings is as follows:

Source: NAPO ratings on Congress and politicians 2014_NAPO on Dec 31, 2014

Support law enforcement, according to CC survey.

Lujan opposes the Christian Coalition survey question on defunding the police

The Christian Coalition inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Defunding Law Enforcement Agencies at the Federal, State, and Local Level ?' Self-description by Christian Coalition of America: "These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues" for all Senate and Presidential candidates.

Source: CC Survey 20CC-9A on Sep 10, 2020

Other candidates on Crime: Ben Ray Lujan on other issues:
NM Gubernatorial:
Deb Haaland
Gary Johnson
Gary King
Jay Block
Jeff Apodaca
Joe Cervantes
John Sanchez
Mark Ronchetti
Michelle Lujan-Grisham
Rebecca Dow
Steve Pearce
Susana Martinez
NM Senatorial:
Bob Walsh
Gary Johnson
Gavin Clarkson
Maggie Toulouse Oliver
Mark Ronchetti
Martin Heinrich
Mick Rich
Tom Udall

NM politicians
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NH: Incumbent Maggie Hassan(D)
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NV: Incumbent Catherine Cortez Masto(D)
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NY: Incumbent Chuck Schumer(D)
vs.Antoine Tucker(R)
OH: Incumbent Rob Portman(R,retiring)
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OK: Incumbent James Lankford(R)
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SC: Incumbent Tim Scott(R)
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SD: Incumbent John Thune(R)
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UT: Incumbent Mike Lee(R) vs.Allen Glines(D)
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VT: Incumbent Patrick Leahy(D)
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WA: Incumbent Patty Murray(D)
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Page last updated: Dec 16, 2021