.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright © 2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE — Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber has not announced if he will run for reelection this year, but it appears he’s at least giving it serious consideration.

In recent weeks, Webber has been calling potential supporters to ask for their endorsement in a future mayoral campaign, several people familiar with the matter told the Journal.

These include various business, cultural and political leaders throughout the city, some of whom supported Webber during his 2018 campaign.

One of them is JoAnn Balzer, a community organizer heavily involved in Santa Fe’s art scene. Balzer said Monday that Webber recently reached out to her asking if he could list her as an endorsement should he decide to run.

She said Webber did not definitively say he if he would run, but she plans on endorsing him if he does.

Others who spoke with Webber said they believe the mayor will run for reelection, but is waiting for the right time to make an announcement.

It appears many in Santa Fe’s political circles are waiting for a Webber announcement. If he decides to run, it could impact the number of possible candidates willing to run against him. He raised more than $300,000 in the 2018 mayoral election — more than his four opponents combined.

So far, only City Councilor JoAnne Vigil Coppler has expressed interest in running for the seat and many observers say it could come down to just her and Webber.

Santa Fe School Board President Kate Noble, who ran against Webber in 2018, said she’s worried about the implications of a two-person race, because it limits the number of perspectives represented for the voters.

“I’m concerned that we are heading for a two-person, us-or-them, type of election,” Noble said. “That needs to be avoided at all costs.”

Webber said in a statement Monday afternoon that an update on his candidacy is forthcoming “very soon.”