I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Javier Gonzales, a member of the New Mexico State University Board of Regents, was elected chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico today.
The selection of Gonzales was expected. He ran unopposed and was elected by acclamation at a meeting at Isleta Casino and Resort, according to a news release from the party.
He’ll serve until at least April 2011, filling out the term vacated when Brian Colón resigned August 8 to run for lieutenant governor.
“It is in the name of my father George Gonzales, and his belief in a brighter future, that I stand before you seeking the privilege to become chairman of the people’s party, the Democratic party of the great State of New Mexico,” Gonzales said today during a speech he gave before the vote, according to the release.
“I commit to you today, as your party chair, that I will fight for you and the principles and ideals of our Democratic Party,” he said. “You believe what I believe. We are right on all the issues, and when we have Democrats in office, the people of this nation and this state have people fighting for them and against the status quo.”
In nominating Gonzales for the position, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish called him “a Democrat through and through–from his family roots to his service today.”
“I would like to thank Javier for his willingness to serve, and I look forward to celebrating with him in November 2010,” Denish said, according to the release.
Gonzales is a former Santa Fe County commissioner and former president of the National Association of Counties. He has served on a number of boards in New Mexico including the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation board, and was a member of the board of regents at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M. until the governor appointed him to the NMSU board in December.
In the early 1990s, Gonzales cofounded La Voz Broadcasting, New Mexico’s largest privately-owned Spanish language radio station. In 2003, he founded IronStone Consulting to help companies work with local governments. He currently works for Santa Fe Studios.
