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Monday, August 25, 2025ABQ Mayoral Campaign Becomes Psychological Warfare: Keller's Sunny Reality Versus The Field, Plus: Possible GOP Guv Hopeful Weighs In On State Doc Shortage
ABQ Mayor Tim Keller did not cite that famous quote from a Marx brothers movie at his annual State of the City address Saturday but that was the essence of the buoyant half-hour summary he offered to Mr. and Mrs. Albuquerque before a considerable crowd at the ABQ BioPark. Another quote that would fit the bill for the pre-election oration is: "Everything's coming up roses." Here was Keller's paraphrase: It’s not always easy to recognize when you’re in the middle of a turnaround that’s actually happening, but the signs of resurgence are in plain sight. . Projects years in the making are finally showing results. Now we still have a long way to go, but the path is clear. The November 3 election is pure psychological warfare now. There is Keller's sunny side of the street and the more dystopian views from his rivals seeking to deny him a third term at the helm of the state's largest city. However, challenger Alex Uballez did not directly rip into Keller's version of reality as did the other five mayoral hopefuls. He accepted Keller's boast of mild improvement on crime and homelessness but argued it is not enough: The people of Albuquerque know eight years is too long for you to be gaining traction. The people of Albuquerque know that a third term is something you give to someone who is hitting home runs and just nailing it. Okay, but if a third term should go only to a homerun hitter, who gets a first term? A pinch-hitter? That's the box city voters are in as they see with their own "lying eyes" that many city conditions have deteriorated under Keller, but they don't see any credible alternatives on the roster to put into the big game. Given that backdrop, Keller is delighted to put the spotlight on himself and welcome the comparisons. On Saturday he reveled in taking joyful selfies with bystanders, creating images to match the reality that he so wants voters to come to adopt as their own. The display brought to mind a third quote for the day and the campaign: "Don't worry, be happy." THAT DOCTOR SHORTAGE The debate continues over how much medical malpractice insurance premiums ares responsible for the state's doctor shortage. Duke Rodriguez, head of cannabis company Ultra Health, a former top state health official under GOP Gov Gary Johnson and now considering a Guv run of his own, comes with this take: Joe, you’re right that the media is only telling half the story when it comes to New Mexico’s doctor shortage. Yes, malpractice premiums are a piece of the puzzle. We could cut them in half tomorrow, lower caps on pain and suffering, even keep pointing fingers at the trial bar and their PAC disclosures. We could also raise Medicaid reimbursement rates and issue dire warnings that half a dozen rural hospitals may close. But let’s be honest—none of those single fixes will solve the physician shortage in New Mexico. The fact is, there is a physician shortage across the entire country, not just here. Doctors are aging out of practice, and the next generation is smaller in number and more selective about where they choose to live and work. The competition for quality physicians is fierce, and it’s not going away. The winners will be those states that can offer doctors a complete package of quality of life: strong schools for their families, safe and vibrant communities, and an economy with a healthy mix of payors—not just a population heavily dependent on government-sponsored coverage. Until we address those fundamental issues, we’ll continue to be outbid in the national contest for medical talent. So yes, malpractice reform can help around the edges. But if we don’t confront the bigger picture—education, safety, economic vitality—New Mexico will remain on the losing end of this competition. That’s the reality no sound bite or bandwagon can avoid. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
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