Seven candidates are running in the general election for mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, on November 4, 2025. If no candidate receives a majority, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff on December 9, 2025. The mayor serves a four-year term, and there are no term limits.
Incumbent Tim Keller and challengers Daniel Chavez, Louie Sanchez, Alexander Uballez, and Darren White lead in media coverage and fundraising ahead of the election.
KOAT’s Brian Sanderoff said, “This race will come down to a referendum on the mayor. Will people think it’s time for a change, or will people think that the mayor has progressed enough that it’s worth giving him a third [term]?” The challengers are positioning themselves against Keller on issues like homelessness and crime.
Keller, who was first elected mayor in 2017, is running on his record. According to his campaign website, “Tim Keller is running for reelection for two clear reasons. First, he’s done the real work to repair decades-long challenges holding our city back. … Second, he’s running to stand up to Trump’s policies and the harmful cuts that threaten our families and safety.” In an August 2025 state of the city address, Keller said, “For the first time in a long time, we are seeing what is working and now is no time to abandon the progress that we’ve made.”
Chavez is the president of Parking Company of America, a business that oversees many Albuquerque parking lots. Chavez stated on his campaign website, “As a local business owner, I’ve seen how strong businesses build strong communities — and how fast that can fall apart without real leadership. … As Mayor, I’ll do what it takes to turn a bleak future into a better one — for all of us.”
Sanchez is a city councilor, business owner, and retired police officer. His campaign website describes his vision as “Focused on Safer Communities, a Stronger Economy, and Real Homelessness Solutions—with a commitment to bold, collaborative leadership that delivers results.”
Uballez served as a U.S. attorney during President Joe Biden’s (D) administration. He resigned at President Donald Trump’s (R) request in February 2025. Uballez said, “While we are making the streets safe, we need to get out of the way of development so that people and [small] businesses, entertainment venues, restaurants, bars and affordable housing for people to live near all of those things can exist here in Albuquerque so we can keep people here, so we can draw people here.”
White was head of the New Mexico State Police and sheriff of Bernalillo County. On his campaign website, White said, “I have a proven record of fighting crime, protecting our communities, and upholding law and order. I’ll unshackle the police, end Mayor Keller’s failed sanctuary policies, clean up homeless encampments, and restore safety to Albuquerque’s streets, parks, and businesses while cutting government waste and making our city a place where families and businesses can thrive again.”
While the position is officially nonpartisan, local media reported some candidates’ party affiliations, and other candidates have stated their own party affiliation or political philosophy. Keller, Sanchez, and Uballez are affiliated with the Democratic Party, and White called himself a fiscal conservative. Chavez’ party affiliation was not reported.
Mayling Armijo and Eddie Varela are also running.