Marine Corps veteran Manny Gonzales was a lifelong Democrat who formerly served as sheriff of New Mexico's Bernalillo County.

Yet as Breitbart noted in an article published this past weekend, Gonzales recently flipped by switching parties and endorsing former President Donald Trump.

Gonzales says Trump "understands the needs of our great nation"

Gonzales, who is also challenging New Mexico Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich, provided a statement praising the former president.

"President Trump’s track record and dedication to the principles that matter most to our communities resonate with my vision for New Mexico’s future," Gonzales declared.

"I am eager to support a leader who understands the needs of our great nation and will stand against the out-of-touch policies that have left our state behind," the retired lawman continued.

"My decision to run for the U.S. Senate under the Republican banner stems from a deep conviction that our state needs practical, common-sense solutions, not partisan rhetoric," Gonzales insisted.

Former sheriff says Democrats are "promoting chaos over order"

"The national Democratic Party’s divergence from the values that resonate with our local community has led me to reevaluate my alignment," he stressed.

Gonzales went on to complain that "[t]he radical elements within the national Democratic Party have strayed from common-sense governance, promoting chaos over order and undermining the safety of our neighborhoods."

Fox News noted that Gonzales gained national prominence during the COVID pandemic after he said his office would not enforce stay-at-home orders.

Former New Mexico sheriff ditches Democrat Party, launches bid for Senate: 'I want to get things done' https://t.co/lGiY1j3hjr

— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) January 10, 2024

"I'm a law and order and fiscally responsible family man that cares about his community. My whole career in life has been surrounded by service," he told Fox News.

Gonzales promises to fights for jobs and energy independence in Senate

"The party that I was in has gone far left in terms of their ideologies towards families and law and order. I can no longer become complicit in their values because I don't believe that they align with mine," Gonzales stated.

In addition to supporting public safety, Gonzales pledged that his time in office will be spent "fighting for jobs" and promoting "energy initiatives."

"I want to get things done. I want to help people, and I want to serve them because that's what I've been called to do," the former sheriff promised.