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Monday, September 15, 2025Got Keller Fatigue? ABQ Mayor Offers Cure; Says He Won't Seek A Fourth Term; Outlines Key Reasons Why He Should Get A Third. Also: Mayoral Management of APD Shootings Spotlighted
After eight years at the helm Keller, 47, faces six foes on the November 4 ballot all arguing that the incumbent has had more than enough time to resolve the city's aches and pains and that it is time for a change. Of course, Keller argues not so fast. In a PBS interview he delivered the short version of why he wants four more years, one that ABQ voters will be hearing repeatedly in the days ahead: We are making real progress on long-standing generational challenges. . . especially homelessness and crime. That's why we need a little more time. It's that sustained effort of doing the hard work every day that is critical right now because these are such tough times. . . We've made real progress but we have a long ways to go and the initiatives that we have been working so hard on. . . I wish they were done faster but I need a few more years. I think it would be disastrous for us to turn back. TRUMP, KIRK FACTORS As he did during Trump 1.0 iin 2017, Keller again seeks election amid a chaotic and divisive national backdrop and is moving to nationalize the local election. In the process he is also saying he won't be taking a fourth bite out of the apple: We have to have someone who is strong and experienced to stand up to President Trump and I will tell you there are fights weekly with the federal government on a range of issues and I don't think now is the time to try someone new. I really don't. I think we have to hold our city together for three and half years then I am sure it is time for someone else to be mayor. The shocking assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has pushed the national agenda deeper into the mayoral race. Keller stands to benefit. (Kirk appeared before UNM students in 2022.Video here. A campus memorial service was held for Kirk Saturday.) The Mayor's main competitor for the anti-Trump vote will be fellow progressive Democrat Alex Uballez whose campaign engine stalled in the early going and now must roar back to life if he is to have a chance of getting in a run-off election with Keller. The nationalization of the contest among the other candidates is less clear but Republicans Darren White and Eddie Varela will be aggressive in courting the pro-Trump vote. Conservative Democrats Louie Sanchez and Mayling Armijo have a trickier path. The dream of Team Keller is an anti-Trump wave across the city that pushes him to the 50 percent mark November 4 and avoids a run-off election a month later with the second place finisher. If not that scenario, then a face-off with pro-Trump White is their favored run-off alternative. MAYORAL MANAGEMENT
During the interview he struggled some with his management of APD: Q: Despite all the reforms that have happened under the (DOJ) consent decree Albuquerque officers still killed people at the highest rates of any major metro last year. That would be 14 per one million residents. How is that what reform looks like? A: Reform was about making sure that when there is a wrong use of force officers are held accountable. Reform was not about reducing the number. We (do) want those to go together. We all want less violence. . . whether it's an officer being a perpetrator or not. But the challenge is that's really driven by crime and fentanyl, violence on our streets, guns on our streets and the difference is, is the officer using constitutional policing. Q: But if those are all constitutional uses of force, why does Albuquerque stand out above the rest of the large metros? Why are our officers killing more people? A: Three reasons, guns are more prevalent here than almost anywhere else. Narcotics, which has also been a longstanding challenge and the third reason is domestic violence. . . So we have crime challenges that drive officers feeling, unfortunately,. . .that they have to use constitutional use of force. . . So those two issues . . . overlap but they are distinctly different. While Keller points out crime is coming down, it is apparently not enough to disrupt the record number of police shootings in the city. His critics can and will argue that it is not only high crime but unsuccessful management that is responsible. Keller repeated during his sit down that APD Chief Harold Medina will not be serving in a Keller third term. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics. |
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