Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today applauded news that President Obama has nominated Albuquerque resident Kenneth J. Gonzales to be New Mexico's U.S. Attorney.

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.

"President Obama could not have selected a more qualified, capable candidate for this important position.  Ken has the experience required of a U.S. attorney, having served for the past 11 years as a career prosecutor working on cases involving organized crime, narcotics, anti-terrorism, and other violent crimes," Bingaman said.  "Ken worked as an aide to me more than a decade ago, so I have witnessed first-hand his keen legal judgment, fair-mindedness and strong work ethic.  I applaud the president for choosing someone of Ken's caliber and experience."

"I applaud the President's decision to nominate Kenneth Gonzales as the next U.S. Attorney for New Mexico," Udall said. "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, and I look forward to working with President Obama and Senator Bingaman to ensure his swift confirmation by the Senate."

The Senators interviewed all candidates who expressed interest in the U.S. Attorney position and sent a short list to the White House for consideration.

Gonzales' nomination will be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee before the full Senate votes on his confirmation.