Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller secured a third term Tuesday night, defeating Republican challenger Darren White in a closely watched runoff election that laid bare deep divisions over public safety and governance in the city.
Within hours of the election’s conclusion, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina ignited fresh controversy by posting a message on the official Albuquerque Police Department X account addressed to White: “@darrenPwhite guess I get to retire on my own terms. Have a good life.” The terse post struck many observers as an inappropriate use of an official law-enforcement channel to comment on an election outcome.
White, a former Bernalillo County Sheriff who ran on a platform centered on restoring law and order, did not hold back in his response. “While you’re using your city Twitter account to spike the political football — too bad the driver you recklessly crashed into and left with permanent, life-changing injuries, doesn’t get to retire on his own terms,” White wrote in a reply that quickly circulated online. His comment revived longstanding criticism of Medina’s leadership and questions about accountability.
Medina’s social media conduct has drawn fire before. City leaders and residents have previously complained about posts perceived as unprofessional or combative from APD’s X presence, leading to public reprimands from City Council members who said the behavior strained relations with the community.
The flashpoint over Medina’s conduct comes amid continued scrutiny over a February 2024 crash in which the police chief ran a red light while responding to what he said was nearby gunfire, striking another vehicle and critically injuring the driver, Todd Perchert. An internal investigation found Medina failed to activate his body camera and did not safely operate his vehicle, resulting in letters of reprimand placed in his personnel file.
Perchert’s life was dramatically affected: the crash left him hospitalized and undergoing significant recovery. A civil lawsuit filed against Medina and the City of Albuquerque alleges that the chief’s actions were reckless and caused severe harm — a suit that a judge recently reinstated for further hearings.
Critics argue that Keller’s embrace of Medina after the collision helped embolden the chief’s unchecked behavior. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Keller publicly portrayed Medina’s actions as heroic, a characterization that drew ire from residents and watchdogs who saw the incident as negligence, not valor.
For White and his supporters, the tweet controversy underscores their broader critique of Keller’s leadership. Throughout the election, White hammered Keller for what he described as a permissive approach to homelessness, crime, and enforcement that left Albuquerque feeling unsafe to many residents. Polling and debate coverage showed public frustration with violent crime rates and social disorder, even as Keller cited statistical declines in certain categories.
As Keller prepares for another four-year term, questions about public safety, accountability, and the tone of official communications will likely remain at the forefront of Albuquerque politics. But one thing is clear: Keller is refusing to fire Medina.