One final blog as we wrap up 2025 and as you prepare to unwrap your Christmas surprises. So let's dash into it. 

The results of the ABQ December 9 runoff election are in the history books. The Bernalillo County Clerk's office says: 

The official canvass of the returns has been completed. The canvass included a comprehensive review of Election Day, early, absentee, and provisional ballots, reconciliation of ballot totals, verification of tabulator reports, and completion of all required post-election procedures. “Certification marks the conclusion of a thorough and transparent process to ensure every eligible vote is counted accurately," says Clerk Michelle S. Kavanaugh. 

The full canvass is here. 

The final vote tally was 129,138 or 35.1 percent of the 367,576 registered city voters. Not bad at all.

Mayor Keller defeated Republican Darren White 74,458 or 57.71 percent to 54,558 or 42.29 percent. That's a hefty margin of 15.4 percent but not a landslide which is traditionally defined as a 20 percent win.

The total vote cast in the mayoral race was 129,016, a bit less than the overall total as some voters chose to vote only in one of the two city council runoff elections. 

Dem Stephanie Tellez easily won her District 1 council runoff on the Westside but there was a cliffhanger in SW District 3. 

The final official vote in District 3 shows Councilor Klarissa Peña holding off challenger Teresa Garcia by just 71 votes. Peña received 3,341 votes or 50.46 percent to Garcia's 3,271 or 49.54 percent.

Garcia actually lost three votes from the unofficial Election Night results that showed her losing by 68 votes. 

The closeness of the contest led to some confusion on Election Night over the rules for an automatic recount in an ABQ election. Newsman Dan Boyd clears it up: 

New Mexico has both automatic recounts and requested recounts. An automatic recount happens when the margin between the two candidates who have received the most votes is under 1%.  

State law makes a provision for publicly funded automatic recounts in local elections when the margin between the two candidates is 1% or less. . .

However, Albuquerque is a home rule municipality, meaning it conducts elections under its own city charter. City Council runoff returns are not eligible for an automatic runoff because the Albuquerque City Charter contains no provision for it. The SOS's office said: “If the losing candidate wishes, they can pay for a recount and would work with the (Bernalillo) County Clerk to determine the cost.

BY THE DISTRICT 

Click to enlarge

Posted here are the results of the mayoral election from each of the nine city council districts. 

Dem Mayor Tim Keller lost only two to Republican Darren White--District 5 on the Westside, a mainly working class and socially conservative area represented by GOP Councilor Dan Lewis--and District 4 in the largely affluent NE Heights district of GOP Councilor Brook Bassan,  

In District 6 in the SE Heights, the one with the highest rates of crime and homelessness, Keller finished his best of any district, capturing 76 percent of the vote. 

WEBBER'S GOODBYE

While ABQ preps for Mayor Keller's unprecedented third consecutive term, Santa Fe says goodbye to two term Mayor Alan Webber. He finishes with mixed reviews, including our own, in this New Mexican exit interview. Apart from his policy performance, Webber, 76, will be remembered for his decency, integrity and dedication to serving others. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

That's a wrap for 2025, our 22nd year on the blog--a chronicle of an entire generation of La Politica all of which is in our archives and that you can access in the event you just have to have a holiday political fix. 

We anticipate returning here Jan. 6 but being an old school newshound, we'll break in if major news breaks out. (We secretly hope it does.)

During the break we'll reflect with appreciation over this space we've created where bonds are silently formed and that make life more special. Thanks.

For now we cede the stage to Frank and Dino and get this holiday swingin'! Take it away, fellas.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, New Mexico. 

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