Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC(ALBUQUERQUE) — Steven Michael Quezada, best known for playing DEA agent Steven Gomez in the TV series Breaking Bad, is joining the race for county commissioner in Albuquerque, New Mexico, citing in part a need for more Mexican-American elected officials.
The 52-year-old actor and comedian feels he can make a difference in the district, which includes the historic Hispanic South Valley and an area in Albuquerque’s Westside.
“I think I bring a new face to the Democratic Party,” notes Quezada. “We need to reach out to our young people — the young Chicanos, the young Latinos — and get them involved in this process and let them know this is important.”
The Bernalillo County Commission recently voted to approve a nearly 22-square-mile development known as Santolina, despite activists’ fears it would take water away from nearby communities, which have experienced years of severe drought.
Quezada, who voted against the plan as a member of the Albuquerque Public Schools, said the plan lacked the needed schools at a time when the area is seeing school overcrowding.
At least three others are running for the open seat in 2016.
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