Breaking Bad actor Steven Michael Quezada goes into politics

Breaking Bad actor Steven Michael Quezada has decided to enter politics and will join the race for a county commissioner's seat in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2016.

Quezada, who played DEA agent Steven Gomez in the hit series, told Associated Press he was standing and would make a formal announcement this week.

The actor said he was prompted to stand because of concerns over urban sprawl and in order to increase the number of Mexican-American elected officials.

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"I think I bring a new face to the Democratic Party," said Quezada, who currently serves on the Albuquerque school board. "We need to reach out to our young people – the young Chicanos, the young Latinos – and get them involved in this process and let them know this is important."

New Mexico has the highest percentage of Hispanic residents in the country and Quezada has said his party needs to do more to reach out to Latino voters.

He is also concerned about planned building works. The Bernalillo County Commission recently voted to approve a new 22-square-mile development project despite concerns that it would sap water from nearby communities as the western US experiences a worsening drought. Quezada voted against the development as a member of the school board, saying the planned community lacked the number of schools needed at a time of pupil overcrowding.

Javier Benavidez, executive director of the SouthWest Organizing Project, a community group that campaigns for "environmental and social justice" and also opposes the controversial development plan, said he was happy that Quezada is running.

"We are seeing the consequences of irresponsible development," Benavidez said. "We need leaders who are going to commit to responsible growth and not just recruit new Wal-Marts and chain restaurants."

Quezada's bid follows a historic defeat in 2014 for Democrats in New Mexico, with the re-election of Republican governor Susana Martinez and a GOP takeover in the state house of representatives.

At least three other contenders are running for the open commissioner's seat in 2016.