Despite crime crisis, Keller wins runoff — ABQ braces for another term of turmoil

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller secured reelection Tuesday night, defeating former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White in a high-stakes runoff that many voters hoped would chart a new direction for a city plagued by violent crime, surging homelessness, and chronic mismanagement. But by 8:34 p.m., the results were clear: Keller prevailed with 58.6%, while White received 41.4% — returning Keller to office for a third term and guaranteeing four more years of the same far-left policies that have become synonymous with his administration.

The outcome came after weeks of intense campaigning, heavy early-voting turnout, and a mayoral contest that at times veered into controversy. According to the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office, 112,496 voters had cast ballots by 4 p.m. on Election Day, representing roughly 30.8% of registered voters. Nearly 83,000 of those were early or absentee ballots — a sign of strong public engagement in a race many believed would determine whether Albuquerque continued down its current path or attempted a course correction.

White’s supporters gathered at the Courtyard by Marriott Albuquerque hotel Tuesday evening, joined by elected officials such as House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, and former mayoral candidate Eddie Varela. The atmosphere was energetic yet tense as the results rolled in, with White greeting attendees in a blue suit and offering thanks for their commitment to a campaign built on public safety, accountability, and restoring order to a city that has seen record homicide rates and escalating street disorder under Keller’s leadership.

The runoff followed weeks of unusual political drama — including a bizarre incident in which dozens of homeless individuals were photographed wearing yellow “I ♥ Tim Keller” sweatshirts distributed anonymously along Central Avenue. Keller’s campaign alleged the sweatshirts were an illegal “cruel political stunt,” filing an ethics complaint demanding an investigation into who paid for them. The episode added yet another layer of confusion and frustration to a race already dominated by concerns over the city’s aggressive spending, homelessness policies, and the $1.6 million price tag of the runoff election itself, which reignited calls for adopting ranked-choice voting.

Throughout the campaign, White emphasized the failures of Keller’s tenure: record crime, sweeping homelessness encampments, deteriorating infrastructure, and what he described as leadership more focused on progressive posturing than practical governance. Keller, by contrast, leaned heavily on incumbent advantages, broad mail-in support, and an entrenched political base.

With Tuesday’s final tally, Albuquerque now faces four more years of Keller’s approach, despite the city’s continued struggles with violent crime, widespread street homelessness, and costly municipal missteps. Whether voters will see meaningful change — or simply more of the same — remains to be seen. But the message from City Hall is unmistakable: the direction of the past eight years will continue, for better or for worse.

As of publishing incumbent City Councilor Klarissa Peña was leading challenger Teresa Garcia by 123 votes in the Third District, while Joshua Neal (40.2) trailed Stephanie Telles (59.8%) in the First District, as of publishing.