Commissioner Gonzalez is the son of farm laboror parents who emphasized education and hard work.  Excelling in high school, he earned an appointment to the Air Force Academy and served 20 years of distinguished service as an intelligence officer, retiring as a Lt Colonel in 2012.  In addition to two deployments to the Middle East, Longinos worked several years in Latin America, highlighted by his work as the DoD intelligence chief in the US Embassy Bogota and successful Colombian-led "Operation Jaque" which rescued 3 Americans held by insurgents.  He is proud of his years of service working alongside law enforcement and also served three years as an Associate Professor for Aerospace Studies at the University of Southern California. 

      Commissioner Gonzalez returned to Colorado Springs working at US Northern Command prior to teaching science at Carmel Middle School and Harrison School District 2.  He was awarded a Teacher of the Year Award in 2016 sponsored by VFW Post 6461.  Elected to County Commissioner for District 4 in 2016, Longinos is known for standing by his word, fiscal responsibility, and his dedication and work on behalf of his constituents.  He emphasizes core functions of government, transparency, and community collaboration.  

     As a county commissioner, Longinos has a record of voting to support essential services to include roads, public safety (police & fire), public health, and smart growth that protects water resources.  He promotes limited government, low taxes, the streamlining of regulations and cutting of governmental "red tape."  He is respected for his willingness to listen to input from the public and for hosting numerous town halls during his term in office.  He is committed to holding town halls as mayor and ending the city's constant request for new or increased local taxes.

     During COVID, Commissioner Gonzalez has demonstrated leadership in the community advocating for small businesses and opposing overreaching mandates while protecting public health.  He championed variances for businesses and allocated portions of CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act funds for small business grants allowing them and residents to get back to work and care for their families.  When the State was found to be improperly underfunding COVID-related support to our residents he was THE local leader fighting for residents and successfully corrected the issue, getting El Paso County citizens their appropriate support.  He advocated for our businesses, and getting students back in schools.

     Commissioner Gonzalez is respected throughout the state, previously serving as president of the Front Range District of Colorado Counties, Inc. (elected by fellow front range County Commissioners), Chair of the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, as Vice Chair of the Board of Commissioners, and appointed to the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs.   

     Commissioner Gonzalez is also committed to residents and in giving back to the community.  He still occasionally substitute teaches for HSD2 and is a lector and Sunday school teacher at his church and serves in several additional boards and committees outside his commissioner duties.  He is a board member for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Mt Carmel Veterans Service Center, the Colorado Board of Veterans Services (Governor-appointed), and the Fountain Valley Senior Center.  He has previously served on Colorado Springs' Public Safety Sales Tax Oversight Committee, and on the board of the Colorado Springs Hispanic Business Chamber.