The Albuquerque mayor’s race is one of the most critical issues facing our entire state at this time. We need new leadership, and I believe the best opportunity to achieve that is with Louie Sanchez.
There’s a saying that, as Albuquerque goes, so goes the state, and it has often been proven true. Albuquerque has the largest centrally located population and is home to the main airport, the state's only trauma center, and the majority of the state’s medical facilities.
Once a shining light for New Mexico, it has become an unmitigated disaster. Among other things, KOB4 reported that Albuquerque ranked 20th among the world's most dangerous cities. Local businesses are closing because of the high crime and lack of police protection. Those choosing to stay are cleaning up human feces, hypodermic needles, and trash because of those camping illegally on their properties. Many are replacing windows, doors, and copper stripped from their electrical systems.
All this and more because Mayor Keller allows criminals almost unfettered free rein. The situation in Albuquerque is so dire that the governor had to send in the New Mexico National Guard to help protect us. Unfortunately, we are still not safe, and the problems have not been corrected.
Keller encourages the homeless to move here through his lack of law enforcement and lax policies. The growth of the homeless population in Albuquerque’s streets is not by accident, nor is it due entirely to New Mexicans. Data shows over 21 percent of the homeless in Albuquerque are from out of state.
Keller has spent over $300 million of taxpayer money on homeless initiatives, but we’ve seen no improvement. Our tax dollars continue to pour down an endless hole.
Economic development in Albuquerque is minimal. Why would an existing business want to invest more when they are struggling to maintain what they currently have invested? Luring new companies here is challenging due to the city's high crime and unfriendly bureaucracy.
The good news is we have a mayor’s election currently underway. The bad news is that Keller is seeking a third term. He has had the past 7.5 years to address the very issues he campaigned to fix, and yet, they’ve only gotten worse.
The bigger challenge is that we’ve got a broad field of mayoral challengers who will split the vote – unless the people of Albuquerque unite to obtain better leadership. Most people in Albuquerque agree that the city is headed in the wrong direction, but an ‘Anyone but Keller’ plan is a path to his re-election.
There are six people actively campaigning for mayor of Albuquerque, and a seventh who has suspended his campaign, but will still appear on the ballot. This race comes down to three leading contenders:
⮚ Tim Keller, the incumbent, has destroyed our beautiful city through increased drugs, homelessness, and a lack of law enforcement. In addition, his management is costing businesses dearly through increased taxes and unresponsive service delivery.
⮚ Louie Sanchez retired after 26 years with APD. He is a business owner and is currently serving on the ABQ City Council. He consistently votes to put the needs of ABQ residents above political positions. As a former supervisor with APD, Sanchez has been the most vocal councilor in confronting APD Chief of Police, Harold Medina. Given the DWI Unit scandal, the vehicle crash Medina was involved in, and other issues, Sanchez has openly called for Medina's firing.
⮚ Darren White, former sheriff and cabinet secretary under Governor Gary Johnson. He has significant name recognition, but also very troublesome baggage that will be used against him in a runoff election.
Reference: 1) White left his cabinet position because Johnson wanted to legalize marijuana. Later, White established a prominent licensed marijuana business with multiple locations in the state.
2) As the Albuquerque Public Safety Director, who outranks the Chief of Police, White personally removed his wife from the scene of an auto accident before an investigation could be conducted. Following a ‘No Confidence’ vote by APD officers and intense public backlash, White resigned.
3) White claimed Florida as his primary residence since 2022 to obtain a $50,000 property tax benefit, but continued voting in New Mexico. After declaring his candidacy for mayor and the Florida residency issue was made public, White took steps to correct what he called an ‘inadvertent error’.
Here’s the red flag in this race: the Keller camp wants the runoff to be between Tim Keller and Darren White. Why? Because they feel confident, they can defeat White in a runoff with this information.
They do not want the runoff to be against Louie Sanchez. How do we know this? There is an open discussion among Keller’s operatives about the plan, and we are seeing it play out. Keller supporters are attacking Louie Sanchez while saying virtually nothing about White. They are trying to ensure White makes the runoff because that is their defined path to Keller's victory.
There is a groundswell of support building behind Louie Sanchez because he is seen as the best opportunity to take back our city. A solid strategy and unified effort can produce a victory for Albuquerque and the state. Voters who truly want Keller replaced must consider all the information provided and the consequences of a Keller victory if it is ignored.
The New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC) is a nonpartisan organization focusing on improving the business environment for companies and the quality of life for all New Mexicans. nmbizcoalition.org
