ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – All six candidates for mayor of Albuquerque weighed in to respond to Mayor Tim Keller’s State of the City address that ended earlier Saturday evening. This is what they had to say.
“The people of Albuquerque know eight years is too long for you to be gaining traction. The peopl eof Albuquerque know that a third term is something you give to someone who is hitting home runs and just nailing it.”
Alexander Uballez, mayoral candidate
“Today, Tim Keller is giving his State of the City address, saying that Albuquerque is making a comeback. I want to give you the real state of our city: The truth is, Albuquerque is in trouble. Our families are worried, our neighborhoods are suffering, and the city we love is at a tipping point. Crime has reached record highs. Under Mayor Keller’s leadership, families don’t feel safe walking in their neighborhoods. Businesses are struggling under the constant break ins and vandalism. Too many of us wonder, ‘What happened to the city we once knew?’ All these tent cities are taking over our parks, sidewalks, and neighborhoods, creating a waste land of lawlessness and filth. On day one of my administration, these tent cities come down. We will ensure our city is clean year round, not just during Balloon Fiesta. Our small businesses, the backbone of Albuquerque, are collapsing over crime, unmanaged homelessness, and failed leadership. These businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. They provide jobs, opportunity, and hope. I will fight for them. No, Albuquerque is not making a comeback. Eight years under Tim Keller, the clock is running out. We don’t need a Hail Mary, we need a new mayor. I promise you, if I’m elected, we will fight back. Together, we will make our city safe, strong, and proud once again.”
Darren White, mayoral candidate
“Mayor Keller, of course, will talk about his accomplishments, but the reality is crime is still high, homelessness has doubled, and police response times are unacceptable. As a Navy veteran, I know leadership means accountability. Albuquerque doesn’t need more speeches, it needs action…This is another reason we need to encourage term limits. We need new ideas, fresh perspective. He doens’t bring those. It’s more of the same.”
Mayling Armijo, mayoral candidate
“He’s already had seven-and-a-half years of trying to run this city. He continues to act like he has great plans to fix the city but he’s already had seven years. Anyone else who would be underperforming for a job would be fired and he really needs to be fired. I’m not sure why people are still thinking that he is a great mayor when we’ve had an increase of drugs, fentanyl, trafficking, and crime. Eddie Varela is running because he really cares for the city. He has served the city for several decades as a fire fighter and a commander, as well as over in California doing firefigher work. He has a vision to help the homeless people. He doesn’t view them as a problem, he views them as individuals. He is ready and willing to help the city of Albuquerque get back on its feet so that we can be prosperous and safe and enjoy our city once again. WE need to have a change.”
Marcie May, Eddie Varela representative
“Tonight, the mayor once again took teh stage to spin polished talking points. But the people of Albuquerque don’t live in speeches, they live in the reality of rising crime, struggling neighborhoods, and mismanaged priorities. We will deliver a full, fact-based rebuttal on Monday that sets the record straight and lays out real solutions for public safety, economic growh, and accountability at City Hall.”
Louie Sanchez, mayoral candidate
“This city doesn’t need Tim Keller to tell us what the state of it is. They see it every time they walk out their front door and see people sleeping on the streets. They feel it when they’re downtown after dark and hold their belongings a little more cautiously. They see it in the empty storefronts and in their bank account after they pay their tax bill. I understand that the future of this city is worth fighting for, but Keller has had nearly a decade to fight for it, and it’s only gotten worse. I am committed to solving the problems and serving people. We need a leader who is not afraid to do the work. I hope the people of Albuquerque trust me to turn it around.”…