Manny Gonzales, a former Marine Corps veteran and lifelong Democrat, had previously served as the sheriff of Bernalillo County in New Mexico.
However, according to an article published on Breitbart over the weekend, Gonzales recently made a surprising move by switching parties and endorsing former President Donald Trump.
Gonzales explained that he believes Trump has a deep understanding of the needs of our country and its people.
In addition to this endorsement, Gonzales is currently running against Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich in New Mexico and released a statement expressing his admiration for the former president.
“President Trump’s track record and dedication to the principles that matter most to our communities resonate with my vision for New Mexico’s future,” Gonzales declared.
“I am eager to support a leader who understands the needs of our great nation and will stand against the out-of-touch policies that have left our state behind,” the retired lawman continued.
“My decision to run for the U.S. Senate under the Republican banner stems from a deep conviction that our state needs practical, common-sense solutions, not partisan rhetoric,” Gonzales insisted.
“The national Democratic Party’s divergence from the values that resonate with our local community has led me to reevaluate my alignment,” he stressed.
Gonzales proceeded to express his dissatisfaction, stating that the “extremist factions within the national Democratic Party have deviated from sensible governing, prioritizing disorder over stability and jeopardizing the safety of our communities.” According to Fox News, Gonzales rose to national prominence amid the COVID pandemic when he declared that his office would not enforce stay-at-home orders.
Former New Mexico sheriff ditches Democrat Party, launches bid for Senate: 'I want to get things done' https://t.co/lGiY1j3hjr
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) January 10, 2024
“I’m a law and order and fiscally responsible family man that cares about his community. My whole career in life has been surrounded by service,” he told Fox News.
“The party that I was in has gone far left in terms of their ideologies towards families and law and order. I can no longer become complicit in their values because I don’t believe that they align with mine,” Gonzales stated.
Gonzales promised to prioritize public safety while also dedicating his time in office to championing job growth and advancing energy initiatives.
“I want to get things done. I want to help people, and I want to serve them because that’s what I’ve been called to do,” the former sheriff promised.
