The Research and Polling survey conducted Sept. 19-26 gives Keller a 42 percent approval rating and 47 percent disapproval. The paper notes that his approval in their polling in 2018 was 61 percent; 60 percent in October 2020 and 50 percent in 2021 when he won his second term.
But they don't mention their poll released November 2, 2022 that gave Keller a dismal approval rating of just 33 percent. Flash forward three years and he is up nearly ten points from that mark to 42 percent.
For purposes of this election cycle Keller's approval rating has actually been on an up slope, coinciding with a moderate drop in crime stats from historic levels.
Still, in the Journal's candidate horse race Keller polled at 29 percent, well below his approval rating. But with a month of heavy paid media coming on his behalf and negative campaigning against him not expected to match that output, Keller's low number for Election Night could be around that 42 percent mark.
Could he get to 50 percent and avoid a run-off as Democratic analyst David Alcon argues? He could, if the negative campaign against him doesn't stick.
Alcon points out that Keller's approval rating among Democrats in the new poll is 54 percent. He says:
Keller has an opportunity to increase his Democratic vote. It would serve him well to target not only progressives but zero in on Hispanic Dems. Many of them have drifted from the Democrats but could be brought back. And with no Hispanic candidate breaking out, he could make a good move. Keller's Democratic support in the horse race is 43 percent. Undecided Democrats are high at 35 percent which is why I think 50 percent and no run-off is still possible Election Night,
Dem City Councilor Louie Sanchez is the best performing native ABQ Hispanic candidate but he is only polling at 6 percent while Daniel Chavez has dropped out and Republican Eddie Varela is at two percent. Alex Uballez also polled at 6 percent.
CHARTER POWER
Matthew Pahl, Executive Director Public Charter Schools of New Mexico, writes:
Hi Joe, longtime reader, first time emailer. I'm writing to share that New Mexico's public charter schools are demonstrating the power of school choice. A poll by Research and Polling last fall found that 73% of New Mexicans support expanding public charter schools in their communities. Families are seeing the benefits of school-level decision-making and mission-driven education, which foster stronger connections and better outcomes.
Charter schools consistently outperform traditional district schools, especially among economically disadvantaged students, who read at proficient levels 5 percentage points higher. Over 10% of New Mexico students are now enrolled in charter schools, with enrollment growing annually. Despite misconceptions, charter schools in New Mexico are public schools and are held to rigorous accountability standards—including oversight by elected authorizers and the same performance and governance requirements as all public schools in the state.
IMPORT POLITICOS
Joe, the dissatisfaction with mayoral, candidates suggests a larger problem in New Mexico. We’re running out of politicians.
The legislature refuses to address the state’s largest problems such as crime and the shortage of medical care. No candidate running for governor promises any significant change. Our Congressional delegation spends more time fighting the federal government than participating in it. The only reason the voters don’t throw these people out of office is that there’s nobody else to vote for.
It’s unlikely New Mexico will produce a new generation of leaders when our smartest young people are leaving the state. So here’s a modest proposal: Import a fresh crop of politicians.
We need a bipartisan organization to identify promising people in other states – such as up-and-coming Democrats in Texas and Republicans in California -- and offer them incentives to move to New Mexico. If they can work remotely for out-of-state employers, so much the better.
The political parties can introduce them to green chile and groom them to run for office in a few years. (This would require Republicans to organize an actual political party.) This probably sounds far-fetched, but if a New Mexico town can name itself after a television show, anything is possible.
Jim, how about we recruit doctors with politician ambitions and kill two birds with one stone?
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