NEARLY A YEAR AFTER ANNOUNCING HE WOULDN'T SEEK RE-ELECTION AND THAT HE HAD STAGE 4 LUNG CANCER, HOUSE SPEAKER BEN LUJAN IS DEAD. HE SUCCUMBED TO LUNG CANCER SHORTLY BEFORE 11:00 TUESDAY NIGHT FOLLOWING A BRIEF STAY AT CHRISTIS ST. VINCENT HOSPITAL IN SANTA FE. HE DIED PEACEFULLY WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN AT HIS BEDSIDE. 

 

LUJAN SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE STATE HOUSE FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS, FROM 1975. HE ALSO SERVED AS MAJORITY WHIP, MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER, AND HOUSE SPEAKER. 

 

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE PENDING.