Javier Gonzales | |
|---|---|
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| 42nd Mayor of Santa Fe | |
| In office March 11, 2014 – March 12, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | David Coss |
| Succeeded by | Alan Webber |
| Chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party | |
| In office September 12, 2009 – April 27, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Annadelle Sanchez (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Sam Bregman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1, 1966 |
| Died | (aged 55) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | New Mexico State University |
| Website | Official government website |
Javier Gonzales (August 1, 1966– February 9, 2022) was an American politician who served as the 42nd mayor of Santa Fe from 2014 to 2018.[1] Gonzales was the city's first and only openly gay mayor.[2] He held the office of Santa Fe County Commissioner, serving two terms. Soon after, he was elected as the first Hispanic president to the National Association of Counties. Upon assuming the mayorship of Santa Fe, he was chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.[3]
He ran for mayor promising to progress equal rights, improve the educational system, diversifying the economy, promote the youth, and increase environmentalism. He voted to build the largest assisted living facility in the city on Old Pecos Trail,[4] created a climate task force,[5] proposed affordable housing measures,[6] instated a cultural district to combat counterfeit art sales,[7] and increased internet and technological advancements for the city.[8] He was a vocal supporter of gun control and regulation. In 2015, he started the Santa Fe Gun Violence Table as a forum and action committee to address mass-killing prevention and to ensure the safety of citizens.[9]
Gonzales publicly disagreed with the actions of then-Governor Susana Martinez, and other Republican legislators. Most notably he condemned the actions of Martinez in her opposition to accepting more Syrian immigrants into the United States.[10][11]
- ^ "Javier Gonzales wins Santa Fe mayoral race". Santa Fe New Mexican, March 4, 2014.
- ^ "Santa Fe Selects Its First Gay Mayor, Javier Gonzales". The Advocate, March 5, 2014.
- ^ "Santa Fe, N.M., voters elect city's first openly gay mayor". Boom.lgbt. March 15, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- ^ "2015 was a year of political scandal in New Mexico". The Santa Fe New Mexican. December 30, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- ^ "Mr. Mayor: Javier Gonzales is looking outside City Hall to unify Santa Fe, but his house remains divided". www.sfreporter.com. May 12, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- ^ "Santa Fe mayor makes affordable housing proposal". KOAT. December 9, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- ^ "Mayor Gonzales proposes cultural district to combat counterfeit art sales". The Santa Fe New Mexican. December 15, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- ^ "Governor Apogizes After 911 Call, Duran Checks Into Jail". kunm.org. December 19, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- ^ "Santa Fe officials react to Calif. shooting". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- ^ "Commentary: Santa Fe should welcome Syrian refugee family". The Santa Fe New Mexican. December 22, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- ^ "Mayors strike back against governors in Syrian refugee fight". Q13 FOX News. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2016.