Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the nomination of Albuquerque resident Kenneth J. Gonzales to be New Mexico's U.S. Attorney.  Gonzales' nomination is now ready to go before the full Senate for a final vote.

Gonzales is a graduate of Pojoaque High School, and received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of New Mexico.  Before taking a position in 1999 as a career prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's New Mexico offices in Las Cruces and Albuquerque, he served as a judicial law clerk to a chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, and was a legislative assistant to Bingaman on criminal justice, Indian affairs and other issues. He has also been a judge advocate in the U.S. Army.

"Ken Gonzales' lengthy experience and strong dedication to public service makes him an ideal candidate to be New Mexico's next U.S. Attorney," Bingaman said.  "President Obama made a great choice in tapping Ken for this key position and it is my hope the full Senate will move quickly to approve the nomination."

"Ken Gonzales' legal expertise and long record of statewide public service – including more than a decade as Assistant U.S. Attorney – make him extremely qualified for the job. He will make an excellent U.S. Attorney," Udall said. "I am pleased his nomination has been cleared by the Judiciary Committee and would hope for his swift confirmation by the full Senate."