Miami

Sammy Gonzales was born and raised in Miami, and has lived there for 50 years. He worked at a Chevy/Cadillac dealership for 25 years in the parts department. In July 2011 he made a major career change and became a public school teacher. He began teaching on the San Carlos Apache Reservation at the Junior-Senior High School but wanted to teach in his hometown. He achieved his objective and currently teaches history at Miami Junior-Senior High School.

Mayor Gonzales began his first term as an appointed Councilmember in 2011. In 2012 he ran and was elected to City Council, serving until 2016. In 2016 he was re-elected, elected Vice Mayor by the Council, and served as Vice Mayor from 2016 until 2020. And in April 2020 the City Council elected him Mayor. His priorities include helping the youth of the community, bringing new businesses and housing to Miami, and enhancing Miami’s public safety services.

Mayor Gonzales has a daughter, Samantha, who will graduate high school in 2021 then attend Western New Mexico University on a full athletic/academic scholarship for softball. Mayor Gonzales has a fiancé Karen who works in public administration. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University.