White crushes Keller in debate as mayor fixates on Trump — not ABQ’s collapse

With early voting for Albuquerque’s mayoral runoff just days away, Monday night’s debate showed a striking contrast between the two candidates seeking to lead a city in crisis. Darren White spent the night pressing the issues directly affecting residents—surging crime, growing homelessness, and a city government in shambles—while Tim Keller seemed far more interested in talking about Donald Trump than defending his own collapsing record.

Keller repeatedly bragged about projects from his tenure, such as the Gateway shelter, the Rail Trail, and the Albuquerque Community Safety Department, but offered almost nothing substantial about how he would reverse the city’s steep decline. He spent most of his time recycling talking points about past initiatives rather than presenting new solutions, even as Albuquerque faces some of its worst public safety and homelessness numbers in modern history. 

White, meanwhile, struck directly at what many Albuquerque residents experience daily: a city that feels unsafe and ungoverned. White demanded immediate accountability in law enforcement leadership, asking why Police Chief Harold Medina still has his job and saying, “The question shouldn’t be whether we would keep the chief of police. The question should be why hasn’t he already been fired?”

Keller insisted that crime is down “statistically,” even as he admitted that he and the public do not actually feel safer. White dismissed Keller’s numbers, noting that violent crime has spiraled so badly that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had to deploy the National Guard and launch multi-agency operations because City Hall was unable to get control of the streets. Keller claimed he merely “asked for help,” suggesting that the crisis was inherited rather than worsened under his watch.

The conversation often turned from crime to homelessness, another area where White argued that Keller has completely failed the city. White blasted Keller’s permissive approach, saying, “The mayor has let them do whatever the hell they want,” pointing to data showing nearly 3,000 people now living on Albuquerque’s streets. White argued that enforcing basic laws—including arresting those who refuse services and continue illegal camping—is essential to restoring order. 

Keller responded by calling White’s plan “dangerous” and a potential “mass casualty event,” insisting that homelessness cannot be addressed through enforcement. White countered that Keller’s refusal to act is exactly why the crisis has exploded, with homeless encampments and associated crime worsening every year Keller has been in office.

On economic issues, the two found rare points of agreement, such as keeping the State Fair at its current location. However, even in these areas, White focused on practical impacts on businesses and neighborhoods, while Keller relied on rhetoric rather than a plan to address the city’s stagnant conditions. White again turned attention to crime in the surrounding area, citing concerns long raised by residents.

The most telling moment came when each candidate had the chance to ask the other one a question. Instead of using his question to defend his record or discuss Albuquerque’s future, Keller chose to ask White about President Donald Trump. Keller pressed White to list which Trump policies he approved or disapproved of, a move that seemed disconnected entirely from the crises consuming Albuquerque. 

White responded that he considers himself an independent, then accused Keller of running a fear-driven campaign to distract from his failures. Keller attempted to tie White to “Trump-like” immigration policies. Still, White pointed out that the policy in question—returning ICE agents to APD’s Prisoner Transport Unit—originated in the Obama administration.

The debate closed with Keller defending his administration’s programs and spending increases, while White emphasized that Albuquerque has reached a breaking point under Keller’s leadership. With crime high, homelessness rampant, and public confidence low, Keller continued talking about Trump while White focused on restoring a city that many feel has suffered a complete breakdown.

He also noted regarding Keller’s lies, “He loves to attach all these labels to me because when you are desperate to cling to power, you’ll say and do anything — including lie to the public — to make sure that you are able to get reelected. I don’t believe that’s the right thing to do.”

Early voting begins December 1, and the runoff election is December 9, leaving voters to decide whether Albuquerque gets four more years of decline or a chance at new leadership.