Former Albuquerque Sheriff Announces New Mexico Senate Bid

A former top law enforcement official from the Albuquerque area has launched his bid for the United States Senate in New Mexico.

Manny Gonzales III, a former Bernalillo County sheriff, announced his bid for the U.S. Senate in New Mexico last week. Gonzales is seeking the Republican nomination for the office, which is currently held by Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich.

“Manny will not be beholden to a party up in D.C. but will be a Senator who is beholden to the voters of New Mexico,” the candidate’s biography readers. “Manny fought for New Mexico’s future as their largest county’s sheriff, and he will fight for the same in the U.S. Senate.”

Gonzales, whose career spans nearly three decades, was elected as Bernalillo County sheriff in 2018. In 2021, Gonzales challenged Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, losing the city’s general election, 56-26%.

Heinrich is seeking his third term in the U.S. Senate for New Mexico in 2024. Heinrich was most recently re-elected in 2018, defeating Republican Mick Rich and Libertarian Gary Johnson, with 54 percent of the vote.