Judiciary Panel Approves Gonzales Nomination For U.S. District Judge

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich reported today that the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination of Kenneth J. Gonzales to be a U.S. District Judge for New Mexico. 

Gonzales, the current U.S. Attorney, cleared the committee by a unanimous voice vote and is now eligible for confirmation by the full Senate.

“Ken has served the people of New Mexico and our country exceptionally well, showing strong judgment and knowledge in his previous civilian and military positions," said Udall. "I have no doubt he will continue doing so as a U.S. District Court Judge, and I hope the full Senate approves his nomination quickly so he can begin work in the new role.”

“I’m pleased that Ken Gonzales’s nomination to be a judge for the federal district court in New Mexico received unanimous support in the Senate Judiciary Committee today," said Heinrich. "Ken’s long and distinguished career as a federal prosecutor and commitment to public service demonstrate his character, intellect, and dedication to the people of New Mexico. He will make a great addition to the federal bench. I look forward to supporting his nomination on the Senate floor.”

Udall and Heinrich introduced Gonzales at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 13, 2013. Video from that hearing is available here and photos are available here.

Gonzales is a graduate of Pojoaque High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of New Mexico. He began his career as federal prosecutor in the Las Cruces branch of the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Mexico and later transferred to Albuquerque. Prior to that, he served as a judicial law clerk to former chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, Joseph Baca, and later as a legislative assistant to former Senator Jeff Bingaman on criminal justice, Indian affairs and other issues. He has also served a a judge advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve since 2001.