Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller and Darren White advanced from the nonpartisan election for mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to a runoff election on Dec. 9. Keller earned 36.6% of the vote in the general election, and White earned 31.3%.

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."

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."

Keller and White participated in a November 11 debate hosted by KOB-TV. The candidates disagreed on crime, with Keller saying that crime was decreasing and White saying that "nobody believes that." On homelessness, White said, "When I’m elected, the homeless tent cities will come down on day one," while Keller said White's approach to homelessness would be "Trump-like roundups and chaos and violence." Keller also defended the city's immigration policies, while White said he would allow city police to cooperate with federal immigration officers.

Albuquerque Journal's Nakayla McClelland and Colleen Heild wrote, "There’s a stark contrast between the plans proposed by incumbent and challenger in the lead-up to the Dec. 9 runoff election" about public safety. According to McClelland and Heild, Keller "wants to expand the Albuquerque Police Department’s burgeoning 'crime fighting shield' of advanced technology," and White "would instead pursue past strategies like sending officers to patrol the streets, writing more traffic tickets and serving warrants."

While the position is officially nonpartisan, Keller identified himself as a Democrat on his campaign website, and White identified himself as a Republican in a campaign advertisement.

Keller qualified for public financing. According to campaign finance reports, Keller received $377,973 in public funds toward the runoff, and White had raised $215,228 as of November 24, 2025, filings.