Q&A Albuquerque City Council District 9 Renee Grout

Political party: Republican

Age: 64 years old

Education: Attended the University of New Mexico. Graduated from Colorado College of Medical and Dental Assistants.

Occupation:

Family: Married to Jim Grout for 42 years, 3 children and 9 grandchildren

Relevant experience: Small Business Owner for 36 years. Current Albuquerque City Councilor District 9.

Campaign website:vote.reneegrout.com

1. What is the biggest issue facing the city of Albuquerque today, and how would you address it?

Crime, addiction, and homelessness are so closely intertwined, they count as one issue. While we have to be compassionate, and I championed a dedicated shelter for homeless youth and pushed for a system to organize and track housing vouchers, we must also enforce the law and take back our public spaces.

2. What is your strategy for improving public safety?

The Foothills Proactive Response Team doubled at my request. These officers do regular beat patrols and know every neighborhood and homeless person in the area. I also support ending catch and release and recruiting and hiring more officers.

3. Under what circumstances, if any, would you support raising taxes?

I do not support raising taxes. We have money available to help people in need and keep our roads, parks and public spaces in top shape; it just needs to be spent wisely. As the FY26 budget chair, I ensured all these needs were met and crafted a balanced budget.

4. What specific industries should the city target with economic development incentives?

I’m proud to have supported Tech businesses in the Sandia Science & Technology Park, and I’ve been working to see the business park expand. There are many more new technologies coming out of Sandia and AFRL that need lab and manufacturing space and economic development support.

5. What are your economic development strategies for boosting small, local businesses?

I’d like to offer more grant support for small businesses, but first we need to address crime in our business corridors. I’ve started that with increased police patrols, zoning changes, and better code enforcement by amending the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance. I have a plan to increase development incentives in MRAs.

6. What steps would you take to increase affordable housing and address a growing homeless population?

I supported the development of three affordable housing projects in D9 while advocating for the protection of nearby residential neighborhoods. My passion project has been the dedicated shelter for homeless youth. This will reduce future homelessness by giving young parentless people a safe space to learn and establish themselves.

7. When it comes to mental health and substance abuse issues, which services would you prioritize under a new state behavioral health law?

Substance abuse treatment is number one; we must get meth and fentanyl out of our community. We especially need dedicated services for young people under the age of 25. Young people need substance abuse treatment and housing navigation services in safe spaces away from the general population.

8. Do you support Albuquerque’s current immigration policies in light of the U.S.Department of Justice’s determination it is a sanctuary jurisdiction? How wouldyou instruct local law enforcement to work with federal immigration officials?

I am proud that Albuquerque is an immigrant-friendly city. That does not mean we harbor criminals. Immigration enforcement is 100% federal responsibility; when someone has committed a violent crime, it’s common sense to inform ICE so the person can be tracked through the justice system and removed upon conviction.

9. What large infrastructure projects would you push for in the city's next capitalimplementation program?

This Administration has spent so much money on homeless shelters that our roadway and drainage infrastructure has been left to crumble. As the budget chair for FY26, I advocated for our roads, parks, and drainage systems – the basic City services we all use every day.

10. What plans do you have to raise the quality of life for Albuquerque residents?

Every major problem in our city stems from the opioid crisis. I served on the committee that allocated settlement funds, and I will use every means available to help people out of addiction. I’m working with HHH to pilot a housing voucher program for people in recovery.

11. What specific metrics would you use to gauge your success?

The metric is up to the voters and I fight every day on their behalf. I’ve written in reporting requirements for the voucher dashboard I’m advocating, the sobriety vouchers, the youth shelter, and all other HHH and ACS programs I’ve funded and championed. We will measure success by the number of people we’ve helped and their long-term outcomes.

12. What differentiates you from your opponents?

The major difference is that I am fighting on behalf of my constituents, and not simply running to be a rubber-stamp for Mayor Keller. I’ve worked hard over the last four years to protect our neighborhoods, make our streets and parks safe and clean for everyone, and make District 9 a great place to build a business.

13. Name one issue not mentioned in the questions above that you would plan to tackle.

We spend a lot of energy on the homeless population, and rightly so. But most important to me is making District 9 a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I’ve supported activities and infrastructure at our community centers, begun rebuilding park playgrounds, and advocated for Open Space.

Personal background

1. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?

No

2. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?

No

3. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony in New Mexico or any other state?

No