Cadigan To Announce Mayoral Bid

It looks like Michael Cadigan will be the first candidate to formally launch a mayoral campaign this year, with an announcement scheduled tomorrow morning (Jan. 6).

Cadigan, a two-term city councilor from the West Side, is a Democrat. He’s expected to run as a fiscal conservative who will oppose sprawl development.

Cadigan has had a huge impact on the council over the last seven years. He was the driving force for the smoking ban in restaurants, the “Planned Growth Strategy,” the Paseo del Norte extension through the petroglyphs and some of the annual budget bills.

Former state Senate President Pro Tem Richard Romero has formed an exploratory committee. Incumbent Martin Chavez is seen as a strong candidate, too, should he decide to run again. Others expressing interest include councilors Ken Sanchez and Debbie O’Malley, County Commissioner Alan Armijo and the mayor’s ex-wife, Margaret Aragon de Chavez. All are Democrats.

A few people have mentioned Sheriff Darren White, a Republican, as a possible candidate as well, but I haven’t spoken with him about it.

Albuquerque elections are nonpartisan. The election is in October, but if no candidate gets at least 40 percent of the vote, the top two will compete in a runoff election in November.

Taxpayer-financed campaigns are available. Cadigan said he intends to participate in the system.