Sheriff Manuel Gonzales (Photo by Peter St. Cyr)
Manuel Gonzales III is the new sheriff in Bernalillo County after commissioners voted unanimously Monday to pick him to replace Darren White, who resigned to become Albuquerque’s public safety director.
White was a Republican. The new sheriff, who is 46, is a Democrat.
Gonzales’ new post expires next November, but he told NMPolitics.net he intends to campaign for the job and run as the incumbent in next June’s Democratic primary.
It will be the first foray into politics for Gonzales, who was a captain in the sheriff’s department until his Monday appointment.
Judge Ted Baca swears in Gonzales as Sheriff. His wife Elaine held the bible as sons Daniel and Isaiah and Commissioners Alan Armijo and Mary Hart-Stebbins looked on. (Photo by Peter St. Cyr)
Party insiders had urged the three Democrats on the county commission to pick a strong candidate who can win the general election next fall.
“We’re very pleased with the new appointment of Sheriff Gonzales,” Victor Raigoza, first vice chairman of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County, said following the vote. “He has been a good example of a person who is serving their community. I wish more people would follow his example.”
Others wanted the commission, with two Republicans, to pick a placeholder for the next 12 months. They said that would level the playing field in the upcoming primary.
At least 21 people interviewed for the post in the last few weeks, but only three names were nominated Monday night. The others were retired APD Commander Marie Sisi Miranda and William Kurth.
Two names that had been bantered around by pundits in recent weeks, Albuquerque Police Commander Conrad Candelaria and Undersheriff Sal Baragiola, did not make the final cut. Candelaria has been considering a primary campaign, but left the meeting before commenting on Gonzales’ appointment.
Gonzales says he’s already been focused on the department’s budget and will work with the upper command to deal with shrinking funds. He told reporters after the meeting he’ll take a proactive approach to policing.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXG_D1nOd_Y[/youtube]
Outgoing Sheriff White had planned to resign at 5 p.m., but after the special meeting began late Republican Commissioner Michael Brasher asked him to delay that for 30 minutes.
White told commissioners that in his new role with the City of Albuquerque he wanted to “continue the positive work that we do together, to improve the quality of life for people living in and around Albuquerque.”
After winning the vote, Gonzales was immediately sworn in by District Court Judge Ted Baca and received his uniform’s five stars from White.