Scandal-tainted ex-sheriff bolts Democrats to run for Senate on GOP line in New Mexico
Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales, who was once one of Donald Trump's favorite Democrats, is now hoping to become one of his favorite Republicans: On Wednesday, Gonzales announced he'd seek the GOP nomination to take on Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich in New Mexico this year.
Gonzales' kickoff comes after news broke in October that federal authorities suspect him of participating in a scheme to help arms dealers illegally obtain machine guns, but he has not yet been charged with any wrongdoing.
Gonzales, who revealed his party switch in the same Fox News interview where he launched his campaign, is the first notable Republican to challenge Heinrich in what's become a Democrat-friendly state. The candidate filing deadline is March 12, and the primary will take place June 4.