Keller & Uballez

In the unlikely event that Mayor Tim Keller has to turn over the keys to City Hall to Darren White following the December 9 ABQ mayoral runoff election, he would not have far to look for someone to blame--rightly or wrongly. 

That would be Alex Uballez, the former US Attorney and now a stubborn third place finisher to Keller in the November 4 election and who continues to refuse to endorse his fellow progressive Democrat.

In fact, Uballez could be said to be acting as if he won something--not finishing third and being denied a spot in the runoff--as he lists his demands for the two term Mayor to fulfill before he gives his blessing for a third term that Keller is seeking. 

Uballez has asked Keller to commit to eliminating homeless encampment sweeps, expanding rental assistance and working with tribal groups to protect Albuquerque’s petroglyphs. . .Uballez said: “He needs to give us the tools to inspire people. I think it’s silly to walk away from 25,000 votes."

Keller: "We had productive meetings and identified a great deal of common ground, but we made it clear that we will not engage in quid pro quo endorsements for his support or anyone else’s."

Uballez acknowledged some of his supporters will likely vote for Keller. . .regardless of whether he endorses him, but said many of them do not feel excited about casting a ballot. “There’s a lot of them that don’t want to vote at all,” Uballez said. 

But a mayor can't cede his power to authorize a sweep of a homeless camp or any other kind of camp without compromising his ability and responsibility to provide for the public's safety. 

As for rental assistance there is a wide variety currently available through both the state and city.

And on the petroglyphs: 

Established in 1990, Petroglyph National Monument is unique not only in its history and landscape, but in its management as well. This 7,244-acre monument relies on a partnership between the National Park Service and the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division to protect its nearly 20,000 petroglyphs and provide recreational and educational opportunities to the public. 

UBALLEZ CRITICS 

Trujillo

Is Uballez using his perceived power to enhance his own standing rather than seriously influence the public policy debate? That's what his growing rank of Democratic critics contend as the stark choice between a progressive Democrat and a hard-right Republican looms over the city:  

Former Lt. Governor Diane Dneish: 

It appears that Uballez has missed the endorsement train. By failing to get on board right away and be a unifier, he says he controls 25,000 votes and is making demands on the mayor in exchange for his endorsements. This is an indication of why he shouldn’t be mayor. Uballez miscalculates his own importance. Bringing people together, not being too full of yourself and not reading too much of your own press, these are qualities we need in a mayor. Uballez doesn’t have them. 

Mark Trujillo, Political Director, IBEW Local 611 

Uballez finished a distant third, earning just 19 percent—roughly the same as Eddy Aragon four years ago. So let’s not make too much of what Uballez does or doesn’t do. The notion that any organization or individual can dictate how thousands of people vote is simply not how democracy works. 

To Alex Uballez and the groups aligned with him: this moment isn’t about any one campaign or organization. It’s about Albuquerque’s future. Elections have consequences — and one of them is knowing when to move from campaigning to governing, and from demanding to contributing.

Progressive Lissa Knudsen: 

Knudsen

Uballez needs to do more than just endorse Mayor Keller. He needs to do so without demanding concessions and he must actively work to get him elected. We must be crystal clear about the stakes: If Keller loses, our immigrant population will be targeted. The unhoused will be targeted. The most vulnerable people in our city will be targeted. Uballez should demand only one thing: that his voters go to the polls to protect those most vulnerable citizens. And a special note to CCP, OLE, WFP, EQNM, Native Voters, and Organized in Power: it is time to work for the people you claim to represent—the most vulnerable—and get Mayor Keller elected. 

Uballez correctly assumes that there are voters who cast ballots for him who are reluctant to vote for Keller or White but it is a rapidly shrinking number as evidenced by the endorsement of Keller by progressive leader and Dem Guv candidate Deb Haaland as well as this committee in support of him:

Host Committee in Formation: NM Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, Senator Debbie O'Malley, Representative Janelle Anyanonu, Representative Joy Garratt, Representative Patricia Roybal Caballero, County Commissioner Barbara Baca, County Commissioner Adriann Barboa, City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn, City Councilor Nichole Rodgers, City Councilor Joaquin Baca, Former Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino, Former Representative Kay Bounkeua, Rachel Lazar, Isaac De Luna, Eli Cuna, Anpao Duta Flying Earth, Angie and Brittany Poss, Janelle Johnson, 

At this point it appears that unless Uballez either changes his mind and comes with a no-strings endorsement or attracts a significant number of other progressives to join him in the demands he is making on Keller, this mayoral train is about to leave the station with or without him.

THE SURNAME GAME

We did not report that former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima was attempting "to hide" his heritage, only that he appears to have developed a sudden affinity for his middle name of Gallegos that he did not employ when he was mayor for 16 years. 

That change comes as he seeks the '26 Dem nomination for governor--as we explained on the blog last week. Still, we will run Miyagishima's reply even though he is mistaken: 

I’ve never tried to hide my mixed race heritage. I’m proud of my roots. My full name is and always has been Kenneth Daniel Gallegos Miyagishima, something you could have verified just by using google. I am surprised you find this “rebranding”. Y

ou also misread my campaign message. I have not joined my opponents in rushing to solicit campaign funds because I see the love of money as being the root of corruption in politics. I have self financed every campaign in my long career. . . I’m sure I will need funds after the primary, but I’d prefer to mostly self-finance my campaign for the June election. 

Maybe Sam (Bregman) and Deb are better known in Albuquerque, but where do they stand on issues that matter to New Mexicans? I view medical malpractice reform as the litmus test. Where does Deb stand on curbing this legal practice that threatens every doctor in our state? Sam is running as the “tough on crime” District Attorney, but his legal career has been defending those same criminals as a trial attorney. Do you think doctors can trust him considering his duplicity? I challenged them both to join me in rejecting campaign funds from trial attorneys and they refused. 

I think you would agree that voters deserve to know where each candidate stands on this most important issue. I think you would agree that the best way to inform voters is through debates. Why not do your readers the favor of endorsing debates even if it gives me the platform to talk truth to power? Maybe you see my campaign as “flagging” but I doubt that doctors, nurses or patients agree with you. 

We took up Miyagishima's suggestion that we Google his name. The only results we see with Gallegos mentioned as part of his surname is his Wikpedia entry and his recently announced gubernatorial candidacy--not during his long public service career or political campaigns in Las Cruces. 

As for debates, of course bring them on. As always we welcome any ideas from the gubernatorial candidates to improve the quality of life for New Mexicans. 

CHICAGO STYLE 

Reaer Jim McClure wrties: 

Joe, your report of Ken Miyagishima’s surname switch brought back memories of Chicago. Hispanic, Polish and Italian surnames are politically advantageous in Chicago, depending on the neighborhood, and Irish surnames are plerennial winners. Some of the down ballot races seemed to attract multi-ethnic candidates. I don't recall any specific names, but some were along the lines of Casimir Gonzalez O’Reilly or Patrick Esposito Lewandowski.

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