Steven Michael Quezada, best known for his role as DEA agent Steven Gomez in the AMC hit series "Breaking Bad," is putting his acting career on hold for a new role in politics. He's set to make the formal announcement that he will be running for the Bernalillo County Commission seat in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.
"I think I bring a new face to the Democratic Party," Quezada told the AP. "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 actor, 52, is a Democrat and member of the Albuquerque school board. He said he's compelled to join the race because he feels he can make a difference in the district.
Quezada is especially drawn to the race because of the proposed 22-square-mile development called Santolina, which he voted against as a member of the Albuquerque Public Schools because it would lead to more overcrowding at the county's schools, among other problems. Javier Benavidez is the executive director of the SouthWest Organizing Project, a group that also opposes the development, and he's glad that Quezada will join the race.
"We are seeing the consequences of irresponsible development," Benavidez told the AP. "We need leaders who are going to commit to responsible growth and not just recruit new Wal-Marts and chain restaurants."
The actor-turned-politician also has been active in promoting anti-crime initiatives in the city of Albuquerque, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Last week, he addressed issues at an anti-crime conference in the city at the Office of the Attorney General's Third Annual Summit on Community Violence.
The election for the Bernalillo County Commission seat is to be held in 2016, according to Entertainment Weekly. Quezada will be running up against at least three other candidates.
