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Senate panel advances Ricardo Gonzalez to NMSU Board of Regents after discussion of priorities and potential conflicts
Summary
The Senate Rules Committee voted to advance Ricardo (Rico) Gonzalez’s nomination to the New Mexico State University Board of Regents. Gonzalez emphasized land-grant priorities, deferred maintenance and outreach; members questioned potential conflicts stemming from his work at El Paso Electric and sought assurances about recusal.
The Senate Rules Committee voted to send Ricardo Floyd Gonzalez’s nomination to the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Board of Regents to the full Senate after hearing testimony about his background and priorities.
Senator Campos introduced Gonzalez and noted a decades-long working relationship; Gonzalez described his upbringing, family ties to education, and gratitude for second-chance opportunities at NMSU. Gonzalez said he would focus on deferred maintenance and capital projects, strengthening the university’s land-grant mission and expanding NMSU Global programming to create new pathways to degrees.
Supporters including Senator Cynthia Nava and community leaders praised Gonzalez’s community ties and policy experience. Sylvia Ulloa (Las Cruces), who worked with him on energy and community matters, urged confirmation and highlighted his knowledge of local infrastructure and energy transition issues.
Committee members asked Gonzalez about a potential conflict of interest because he currently works in regulatory and government affairs for El Paso Electric. Gonzalez said he recognizes the sensitivity and would consult general counsel if issues involving NMSU and his employer arose; he pledged to recuse himself from votes presenting a conflict. "If an issue like that came up ... I would definitely talk to our general counsel on those issues ... and maybe that's a vote that I excuse myself from," Gonzalez said.
Senators also questioned how he would approach financial oversight and athletic misconduct investigations; Gonzalez said he would review committee structures, policies and follow reports, and supported immediate board action if regents became aware of misconduct.
The committee recorded seven votes in favor of advancing Gonzalez’s nomination to a full Senate confirmation. The committee received 26 letters of support, and several community members spoke on his behalf. Gonzalez said he would prioritize stewardship of campus infrastructure and build stronger outreach between NMSU and surrounding communities.
