Lujan's Aide Denounces Claim of Socialism

Ben Ray Lujan

From daily-times.com -Republican Rick Newton is guilty of spreading falsehoods by saying that U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan is a socialist, the congressman’s press secretary said today. Newton, 65, is seeking the GOP nomination to run against Democrat Lujan in November. At the New Mexico Republican pre-primary convention on Saturday, Newton during his speech called Lujan is a socialist. He amplified on his statement in interviews, saying Lujan was one of 70 members of Congress who are registered with “the Socialist Party of America.”  Newton said his evidence was a website listing. Andrew Stoddard, Lujan’s spokesman, said in a telephone interview that Newton’s claim is false. The congressman probably would make a statement later today, he said.  Lujan is only the latest Democratic congressman to face such a claim. For instance, blog posts last year claimed that New Jersey Congressmen Donald Payne and Frank Pallone were socialists. The publication PolitiFact denounced the claim. “Misinformation and smear campaigns are part of political life. But these persistent claims about socialists are riddled with errors and outright lies,” it said in giving the postings a “Pants on Fire” rating.

Lujan's Aide Denounces Claim of Socialism