Apr. 19—Ballots for the 2025 municipal elections may be getting longer by the day.
City records show that nine people have filed to run for Albuquerque mayor, with crime, homelessness and an uncertain economic future being top issues among city residents.
Nine is a high number of candidates, which means that a runoff election could be held in the future if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote. But not all nine are guaranteed a spot on the ballot. That’s because each candidate must collect 3,000 signatures by June 21 to lock in their position.
Saturday is the first day for mayoral candidates to collect those signatures.
Here’s a little about each candidate:
Alpana Adair
Alpana Adair is a human resources professional.
She previously worked for a hospitality consulting firm and moved to the Albuquerque area three years ago. On her campaign website, she states that she wants to reduce juvenile crime, create more jobs, and improve residents’ quality of life.
Mayling Armijo
Mayling Armijo is the former director of Economic Development for Bernalillo County and deputy county manager for Sandoval County.
On her campaign website, she lists her priorities as crime, housing and homelessness, substance abuse, job growth, and setting term limits for the mayor’s office.
Brian Fejer
Brian Fejer, an Albuquerque resident, does not have a campaign website. Instead, he has a Substack blog entitled “La Politica” with a post called “Brian Fejer for ABQ Mayor 2025,” which has the subheading “This is satire.”
On his blog, Fejer says he would declare a “public mental health emergency,” focusing on the fentanyl crisis. He also calls for the creation of an Albuquerque subway system.
Tim Keller
Tim Keller is the incumbent mayor, seeking a third term in office.
Keller has said that his next term will focus on combating crime and homelessness while prioritizing redevelopment and housing. Other mayors have served three terms, but Keller would be the first to serve three consecutive terms.
Patrick Sais
Patrick Sais ran unsuccessfully for the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2024 and for mayor in 2021.
His campaign website states that he’s focused on “enhancing public safety, improving educational opportunities and promoting sustainable economic growth.”
Louie Sanchez
Louie Sanchez currently represents City Council District 1 on Albuquerque’s West Side.
A staunch critic of Keller and Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina, Sanchez’s campaign website calls for “safer communities,” “a stronger community” and “solutions for homelessness.” Sanchez is a former APD police officer.
Alexander Uballez
Alexander Uballez was most recently the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico but resigned at the request of President Donald Trump. Uballez has also served as a prosecutor for the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Uballez is the latest candidate to enter the race. On his campaign website, he said that public safety and “cutting through red tape” to increase the housing stock would be top priorities.
Eddie Varela
Eddie Varela is a retired Albuquerque firefighter and former California fire chief.
Varela’s website lists six issues, including safety, homelessness, transparency, seniors, youth and small businesses.
Darren White
Darren White is the former sheriff of Bernalillo County.
His campaign website said he’ll prioritize crime, homelessness and what he called government efficiency.