Steve Israel out as chairman of the DCCC, Rep. Ben Ray Luján replaces him

[Triana]

via an email to me which tries to rosy the 2014 midterm for Dems.

It ends with:

"progressive champion Rep. Ben Ray Luján will serve as the new DCCC Chairman"

Anyone know anything about Ben Ray Luján?

[JustAnotherGen]

1. That's a very strategic appointment from his Wiki

Energy Independence[edit]

He has been active in environmental regulation and increased renewable energy production by 20% in New Mexico.[9] He is one of the leaders on energy regulation in Congress as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ Green Economy and Renewable Energy Task Force he emphasizes the input of the Hispanic Community in the furthering of clean energy policy.[9] Luján has initiated several pieces of legislation regarding renewable energy such as the SOLAR Act and he co-authored the Community College Energy Training Act of 2009. He also supports natural gas usage and the New Alternative Transportations to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2009.[9] Luján has very high ratings with interest groups such as Environment America and the Sierra Club. His intent not only lies in the advancement of renewable energy policy, but also the involvement and education of the community (particularly the Hispanic Community) in the benefits of renewable energy.[8]

[JustAnotherGen]

2. From Wa Po

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/11/17/ben-ray-lujan-chosen-as-next-dccc-chairman/

Lujan, 42, will be a fresh and much younger face among top House Democrats. Lujan, who will be the first Latino ever to hold the job of party campaign chairman, begins his fourth term in Congress in January. He is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and a vice chairman with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, leading the group's political action committee with a focus on helping more Latinos win seats in Congress.

The congressman's father, Ben Lujan, once served as speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives and his cousin is Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), another member of New Mexico's congressional delegation.

Pelosi also detailed plans Monday to fill out her leadership team. She will give outgoing DCCC chairman, Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), the newly created position of chairman of policy and communications -- essentially a leading messaging role for the caucus. Israel has led the DCCC through the last two political cycles, during which the party failed to retake the majority, losing at least eight seats this year.

[Triana]

3. Tx JustAnotherGen!