Mayling Armijo, a candidate for mayor of Albuquerque, has announced her candidacy citing the need for new leadership to address urgent local challenges. Despite her lack of prior political involvement, Armijo expressed her intentions during a podcast appearance.
"Working in public service for 15 years, you see politicians revolving through doors, some good and some not, especially in Albuquerque and New Mexico," said Armijo, according to YouTube. "What I haven't seen is a politician in the prime of her career, doing well, who says, 'I'm going to give all that up and run for office because if I don't do it now, if I don't try and fix it now, what is it going to look like later?' I'm a political outsider, never really tied to any party—I was independent most of my life—and this is something I have to do, not just for me but for my family, friends, and community, because I know I can affect that change."
The upcoming mayoral election in Albuquerque is set against a backdrop of increasing violent crime, homelessness encampments, and public concerns about economic stagnation and city service delivery. According to local media reports, public safety challenges and housing affordability are central issues in the debate. Voters are evaluating whether the current administration has effectively managed service performance and growth as they consider their choices for the 2025 race.
A report from Communications Workers of America Local 7076 indicates that New Mexico state government vacancy rates were approximately 22.7% in 2024. This situation has led to reliance on overtime and contractors, costing over $130 million annually due to delayed or constrained services. The state's 2023 Annual Report also highlights ongoing recruitment and retention challenges in public service. These staffing shortfalls are particularly relevant to cities like Albuquerque that aim to maintain effective policing, social services, and permitting operations.
A 2025 survey experiment conducted in the U.S. revealed that voters showed a statistically significant preference for "outsider" candidates—those without prior political office—when such candidates were perceived as competent and reform-oriented. This study, published in "Is Some Politics Still Local? Voter Preferences for Local Candidates," suggests that municipal electorates may be more open than often assumed to non-traditional or reform-minded candidates.
Armijo is a Democrat running for mayor who currently serves as Executive Director of the Elevated Lending Community Development Corporation and holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Her campaign biography notes her previous roles as Director of Economic Development for Bernalillo County and leadership positions at the New Mexico Economic Development Department and the New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration. She describes herself as a lifelong New Mexican and small-business advocate with two decades of experience in both public and private sectors.
