Former Bernalillo County sheriff Manny Gonzales switching parties, running for US Senate

Jan. 10—The former Bernalillo County sheriff who made an unsuccessful run to be mayor of Albuquerque has now set his sights on the national stage.

Manny Gonzales, a longtime Democrat, announced Wednesday on Fox News that he is switching to the Republican Party and running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Martin Heinrich.

Gonzales told the host he was spurred to run by what he called "the failure" of New Mexico's Democratic leadership by "being silent — having no policies, no active role" in national discussions on things like border safety and high taxes.

"I offer that alternative: having solutions and working with both sides of the aisle to get something done," Gonzales said. "... Not settling for the same old excuses by career politicians."

On his campaign website, Gonzales said open borders, high crime and radical politicians were ruining the state, and Heinrich "sits idly by without a shred of respect for our great state to say enough is enough."

"If anything, Sen. Heinrich has aided in this lawlessness, and allowed our great state to be riddled with crime and low education outcomes," according to the website.

A spokesman for Gonzales' campaign and Gonzales himself did not respond to requests for an interview.

Caty Payette, Heinrich's spokeswoman, said the Democrat incumbent senator "is running for re-election to continue delivering real results for New Mexicans."

"He remains committed to investing in the brighter future the people of our state deserve," Payette said. "That stands in direct contrast to Manny Gonzales, who, like his hero and role model Donald Trump, is running for office to avoid his legal troubles. Hopefully, Manny won't have to fake signatures to get on the ballot this time around."

Gonzales — who served as Bernalillo County sheriff from 2009 to 2022 — recently made headlines when he and his former undersheriff Rudy Mora were named by federal authorities in an alleged scheme to import machine guns for resale to collectors and gun enthusiasts.

Neither has been charged in the case but, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, both men submitted fraudulent requests to import automatic weapons for a demonstration and possible purchase.

The local firearms dealer they submitted the letters to, James Christopher Tafoya, faces federal charges in the scheme.

The ATF told the Journal that the investigation into the scheme — which has led to charges against police chiefs, gun dealers and others across the country — is ongoing.

Up until those allegations, Gonzales had remained out of the public eye since losing the Albuquerque mayoral race in a landslide to Tim Keller in 2021.

During that race, Gonzales was denied public campaign financing after allegations arose alleging forgery and fraud.

Albuquerque City Clerk Ethan Watson opted to withhold the $600,000 in financing based on evidence presented in two ethics complaints against Gonzales, including one alleging he submitted forged documentation in an attempt to qualify for the funding.

Gonzales' campaign subsequently acknowledged some forged paperwork but denied the sheriff knew about the bad signatures.

A state judge ultimately upheld Watson's decision, prompting Gonzales to collect $330,000 in private donations within three weeks.

An appeal of that judge's ruling is before the state Court of Appeals, which heard oral arguments in the case but has yet to rule. City records show Gonzales reported receiving $4,300 in in-kind services from the Harrison & Hart law firm in Albuquerque in August. That is the firm handling his appeal.

Gonzales first found the national spotlight as a sheriff in July 2020.

Gonzales appeared at the White House alongside then-president Donald Trump during the announcement of Operation Legend, which saw dozens of federal agents sent to tackle crime in Albuquerque and other cities.

Gonzales' Democratic counterparts at the time, including Heinrich, blasted the then-sheriff for attending the announcement of the operation — which they believed may be used to target protesters — and asked him to resign.

On Wednesday, Gonzales said on Fox that he was a "person of very strong convictions" and that he believed he "had the best chance" of any Republican candidate to unseat Heinrich.

"When people like myself no longer subscribe to these radical policies that are failing us here in New Mexico with families, education, overspending — they are going to understand that they have an opportunity to replace these career politicians that are just looking for their next seat," he said.

At one point in the Fox interview, the host showed Gonzales recent footage of gunmen storming a TV station in Ecuador, a country that has been destabilized for years.

The host asked if Gonzales thought the United States could see similar violence here, referencing the influx of migrants at the southern border.

"Of course," he said. "It's a concern, not only of myself, but literally every citizen of the United States is at risk."

Daniel Garcia, Democratic Party of New Mexico spokesperson, said in a statement, "this latest power grab attempt by Manny Gonzales shows that he has no shame — not for his mounting legal troubles nor his previous campaign ethics violations."

"We trust that New Mexican voters will see right through Manny's media circus announcement, which proves that he's willing to run for public office regardless of party or values as long as he gets some time in the limelight," Garcia said. "New Mexico Democrats are already campaigning across the state for Senator Martin Heinrich's reelection with an army of volunteers excited to join us every step of the way."