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Tuesday, November 04, 2025Election Day '25 is Here: Suspense Over Who Finishes In Top Two In ABQ Mayor Contest; Ranked Choice Voting In Santa Fe Balloting Adds To Drama, Plus: Join Our Team For Live Election Night Results And Analysis On KANW 89.1 FM and KANW.ORG Tune in to our live Election Night coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m on public radio KANW 89.1 FM and streamed at KANW.ORG. There will be suspense tonight in the ABQ and Santa Fe mayoral elections despite there being two front-runners--Mayor Tim Keller in ABQ and City Councilor Michael Garcia in Santa Fe. We wait to see if Keller can get 50 percent of the vote to get re-elected outright and avoid a December 9 runoff. If not but he still finishes in first as expected, who will take second and face him in that runoff? That battle appears to be between Republican Darren White and Dem City Councilor Louie Sanchez with White the favorite. In Santa Fe the suspense is over how many rounds of counting it will take to elect a new mayor. Up there the runoff takes place tonight for all eight candidates because ranked choice voting is used. That's where voters rank all the candidates in their order of preference. If none of them get 50 percent in the first round, the vote-counting goes to a second round and keeps going until one of them reaches the magic number. It is possible but not likely that a candidate who finishes second in the first round of voting could actually end up in first and become mayor-elect. Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark says ranked choice voting could mean a later election night for the City Different than ABQ because of the time needed to count. She says the counting will be streamed live for all to watch on the county's YouTube channel. Another reason for more suspense in ABQ is the dearth of polling from the ABQ Journal. The paper came with a late September survey but that was the one and only. For the first time the paper's new no endorsement policy for political candidates kicked in for a mayoral election, the latest example of how the newshounds are backing off from getting too close to the fire in this polarized era. HOW MANY? Early voting was on the low side in ABQ and Santa Fe. We're thinking total turnout comes in around 95,000 in ABQ compared to 118,000 in 2021. SETTING EXPECTATIONS  We’re not taking anything for granted — our team is working hard to
secure one of the top two spots and make the December runoff.
Until the polls close tomorrow, Keller volunteers are knocking doors,
making calls, and reminding everyone to get out and vote. So the campaign would be alright with Keller finishing second? If that happened there would be a political firestorm in this town. Progressive Dem Alex Uballez wrapped things up by urging his supporters to have a good time at his E. Nite party: Feel the energy, the hugs, the hope, the joy. Whether you knocked doors, made calls, donated, or simply believed this night is for you. Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come…and look forward to what’s next. Together. We Win. Louie Sanchez sent voters into today with this message: Why Vote Louie Sanchez for Mayor? Because Albuquerque deserves leadership that puts safety, accountability, and families first. Louie has real experience — not politics — and a vision to make our city stronger, safer, and more united Election Night is our moment to connect, reflect, and cheer for this people-powered movement we built together, a stronger, safer Albuquerque that puts community first. THE PARTIES Sanchez will watch the returns at his home on ABQ's Westside Mayor Keller will have an Election Night party at Arrive Hotel at 7th and Central Downtown. Alex Uballez party headquarters will be at Flamenco Works at 506 Central Downtown. Darren White will host supporters at the Courtyard Marriott at 5151 Journal Center Blvd. NE KANW ELECTION NIGHT
If the issue is big in Santa Fe you'll find him in the middle of the fray. He's also a college sports fanatic now in ecstasy over the UNM football team's success. As for tonight's proceedings, he says: "Politics is the wildest sport of all. Tonight is the big bowl game."
Dem state Rep. Joy Garratt is also back with us for another Election Night stint. This one is especially timely because she represents Westside House District 29 as she has since 2019. That area will be a hot spot tonight with the four way District 1 City Council battle and the two way District 5 Council race with Republican Dan Lewis and Democrat Athenea Allen. Being a retired educator, Joy is also captivated by the Danielle Gonzales-Rebecca Betzen clash for the ABQ School Board. She says of tonight's races: "I can't predict who will win but someone is going to get schooled." CONSULTANT CORNER
Republican consultant Bob Cornelius, a Tatum NM native who has been busy consulting Texas legislative candidates, will do anything to get a political fix. He drove here from Austin to continue contributing his insights to public radio. Appreciate that, Bob, although the ranks of GOP candidates is pretty thin this year. Bob says of tonight: "I came here to see Republicans win, but I'll settle for some chicharrones."
And we welcome to the Election Night broadcast news pro Jenny Kinsey, a reporter for the Mountain West News Bureau based at KANW. She'll be filing reports from around the city as the election news breaks. Jenny has worked as a freelance journalist for NPR and other outlets and has a masters in journalism and political science from East Texas A&M University. About tonight she says: "It's like herding cattle. I'm ready." Should be a fun one. See you tonight from the KANW studios. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics. |
  
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