 Prior to serving in the New Mexico House of Representatives, Gonzales was an educator.When District 42 Democratic Representative Frederick Peralta left the Legislature and left the seat open, Gonzales ran in the five-way June 7, 1994 Democratic Primary, winning with 1,540 votes (36.5%) and won the November 8, 1994 General election with 4,205 votes (60.3%) against Republican nominee Telesfor Gonzales.Gonzales was challenged in the June 4, 1996 Democratic Primary, winning with 2,969 votes (69.6%) and was unopposed for the November 5, 1996 General election.