2025 Albuquerque mayoral election
November 4, 2025
December 9, 2025 (runoff) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in New Mexico |
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The 2025 Albuquerque mayoral election was held on November 4, 2025, to elect the mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The first round of voting saw Democratic Party incumbent Tim Keller win a plurality of the vote but failing to win over 50%, triggering a second round contest between him and Republican candidate Darren White.[1] Keller was re-elected to a third term after defeating White in the runoff on December 9.
Background
Incumbent mayor Tim Keller ran for re-election to a third term in office.[2]
After the petition deadline on June 20, seven candidates met the 3,000 signature threshold, with Keller, Eddie Varela, and Alex Uballez leading in signatures gathered.[3]
Since no candidate reached 50% of the vote in the general election, a runoff election between the top two candidates will take place on December 9, 2025.[4]
General election
Candidates
Advanced to runoff
- Tim Keller, incumbent mayor (Democratic)[5]
- Darren White, former Bernalillo County Sheriff (Republican)[6]
Eliminated in general
- Mayling Armijo, former Sandoval County deputy manager (Democratic)[7]
- Louie Sanchez, city councilor (Democratic)[8]
- Alex Uballez, former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico (Democratic)[9]
- Eddie Varela, former Albuquerque deputy fire chief and former Reserve city councilor (Republican)[10]
Disqualified
- Alpana Adair, human resources professional (Independent)[11]
- Adeo Herrick (Democratic)[12]
- Patrick Sais, candidate for mayor in 2021 (Republican)[11]
Withdrawn
Endorsements
Tim Keller
- U.S. representatives
- Melanie Stansbury, NM-01 (2021–present)[14]
- State legislators
- Javier Martínez, speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives (2023–present) from the 11th district (2015–present)[14]
- Heather Berghmans, state senator from the 15th district (2025–present)[15]
- Individuals
- Dolores Huerta, labor leader[14]
- Labor unions
- Teamsters Local 492[16]
- AFSCME Council 18[17]
- AFL-CIO New Mexico[15]
- Western States Regional Council of Carpenters[15]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 611[18]
- Sheet Metal Workers' International Association Local 49[19]
- Organizations
Alex Uballez
- Organizations
- Political parties
- Working Families Party of New Mexico (endorsed Keller in the runoff)[25]
Darren White
- Local officials
- Dan Lewis, city councilmember from the 5th district (2021–present)[26]
- Renee Grout, city councilmember from the 9th district (2021–present)[26]
- Dan Champine, city councilmember from the 8th district (2023–present)[26]
Mayling Armijo
- Labor unions
- Associated Builders and Contractors New Mexico[14]
Debates
| Host | Date & time | Link(s) | Participants | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren White (R) | Tim Keller (D) | Alex Uballez (D) | Louie Sanchez (D) | Eddie Varela (R) | Mayling Armijo (D) | |||
| KOAT7 | October 15, 2025 | [27] | P | P | P | P | N | N |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Tim Keller |
Darren White |
Louie Sanchez |
Alexander Uballez |
Eddie Varela |
Mayling Armijo |
Daniel Chavez |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Polling Inc.[28][A] | September 26, 2025 | 514 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 29% | 16% | 6% | 6% | 2% | — | — | 37% |
| Rival Strategy Group (R)[29][B] | July 8–12, 2025 | 529 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 32% | — | — | — | — | — | 37% | 31% |
| 33% | — | 40% | — | — | — | — | 27% | ||||
| 38% | 43% | — | — | — | — | — | 19% | ||||
| 27% | — | — | — | — | 37% | — | 35% | ||||
| 33% | — | — | — | 34% | — | — | 33% | ||||
| 25% | — | — | 39% | — | — | — | 36% |
Results
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Keller (incumbent) | 47,911 | 35.69% | |
| Darren White | 41,137 | 30.65% | |
| Alex Uballez | 25,213 | 18.79% | |
| Louie Sanchez | 8,647 | 6.44% | |
| Mayling Armijo | 7,673 | 5.72% | |
| Eddie Varela | 2,280 | 1.70% | |
| Daniel Chavez | 1,366 | 1.02% | |
| Total votes | 134,227 | 100.00 | |
Runoff election
Endorsements
Tim Keller
- U.S. senators
- Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico (2021–present)[31]
- Political parties
- Working Families Party of New Mexico (previously endorsed Uballez)[32]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Tim Keller |
Darren White |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GBAO (D)[33][C] | October 16–19, 2025 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 45% | 38% | 17% |
Results
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Keller (incumbent) | 74,472 | 57.71% | |
| Darren White | 54,564 | 42.29% | |
| Total votes | 129,036 | 100.00 | |
Notes
- Partisan clients
- ^ Poll commissioned by the Albuquerque Journal
- ^ Poll commissioned by the New Mexico Business Coalition
- ^ Poll sponsored by Ascend ABQ PAC, which supports Keller[34]
References
- ^ Towne, Robert (November 4, 2025). "Decision 2025: Metro area election results". KOB.com. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ Cook, Cathy (August 30, 2024). "Albuquerque mayor planning to run for a third term". Albuquerque Journal.
- ^ Writer, Justin Garcia / Journal Staff (June 20, 2025). "It's official! Keller, six challengers in the running for Albuquerque mayor". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ "Section 8. RUNOFF ELECTIONS". American Legal Publishing. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
- ^ Fjeld, Jonathan (March 13, 2025). "Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller formally announces reelection bid". KOB. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
- ^ Fjeld, Jonathan (March 6, 2025). "Darren White to run for Albuquerque mayor". KOB. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ Fjeld, Jonathan (February 5, 2025). "Albuquerque mayoral race begins to take shape". KOB. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- ^ Garcia, Justin (April 8, 2025). "Councillor Louie Sanchez announces run for Albuquerque Mayor". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ Writer, Justin Garcia / Journal Staff (April 18, 2025). "Alexander Uballez, former US Attorney, announces run for Albuquerque mayor". Albuquerque Journal.
- ^ Alcala Bach, Noah (February 7, 2025). "Who's running for Albuquerque mayor? Here's what we know". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c Garcia, Justin (April 19, 2025). "Nine candidates have filed to run for Albuquerque mayor". Albuquerque Journal.
- ^ "2025 Candidates and Committees". City of Albuquerque. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ ABQ, City Desk (September 30, 2025). "Daniel Chavez ends mayoral bid following staffer accusation, plummeting polls". City Desk ABQ.
- ^ a b c d "Meet the candidates: Albuquerque Mayor". The Paper. October 20, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c "iVoterGuide". Tim Keller on iVoterGuide. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Teamsters Local 492 is proud to endorse Mayor Tim Keller for Mayor of Albuquerque". Teamsters Local 492 on Facebook. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ a b "Endorsements for Tim Keller - New Mexico Nonpartisan Candidate". Blue Voter Guide. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "2026 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Endorsements". International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 611. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "SMART Local 49 is proud to endorse Mayor Tim Keller". SMART 49 on Facebook. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Endorsed Candidates, Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico". Planned Parenthood Votes NM.
- ^ "CVNM Announces Endorsements of Pro-Climate and Pro-Democracy Candidates In Albuquerque Municipal Election – Conservation Voters New Mexico". Conservation Voters New Mexico. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund Endorses Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller for Re-Election". Everytown for Gun Safety. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "NALAF Endorsement". NALAF on Instagram. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
- ^ "Endorsements for Alexander Uballez - New Mexico Nonpartisan Candidate". Blue Voter Guide. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Working Families Party Endorsement". Working Families Party on Instagram. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Darren White on iVoterGuide". iVoterGuide. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Albuquerque Mayoral Debate". KOAT-TV.
- ^ Boyd, Dan (September 28, 2025). "Journal Poll: Tim Keller holds lead in Albuquerque mayoral race but many voters still undecided". Albuquerque Journal.
- ^ "Poll" (PDF). Nmbizcoalition.
- ^ "MAYOR CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE". New Mexico Secretary of State.
- ^ "Ben Ray Endorses Keller But Heinrich Silent As Uballez Stays On Fence". New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ^ "Keller earns key endorsement as runoff fast approaches". Daily Lobo. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^ Monahan, Joe (November 5, 2025). "Keller Takes First But White Keeps It Close; Duo To Meet In Mayoral Runoff December 9; Uballez Places Third, Plus: Council Outcomes Incuding An Upset; Betzen Wins Big In APS School Board Race; In Santa Fe Councilor Garcia Will Be Next Mayor". New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Jesse (September 23, 2025). "PACs pour $375k into Albuquerque elections, skirting campaign limits". City Desk ABQ. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "MAYOR CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE". New Mexico Secretary of State.
External links
- Official campaign websites