Q&A Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller

Name: Tim Keller

Political party: Democrat

Age: 47

Education: St. Pius X High School, Albuquerque. BBA, finance and art history, University of Notre Dame; MBA with honors, Harvard Business School.

Occupation: Mayor of Albuquerque (2017-present)

Family: Liz Kistin Keller, 2 children.

Relevant experience: New Mexico state auditor (2015-2017); state senator — representing Albuquerque’s East Central Gateway and the International District for six years, including two years as majority whip (elected 2008-2014).

Campaign website: mayortimkeller.com

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

Fentanyl is devastating Albuquerque and cities nationwide, driving crime and trapping people in homelessness. It prevents many unhoused people from saying ‘yes’ to services. We must expand addiction treatment, create alternative drug courts, and restructure our criminal justice system to hold dealers accountable. Combating fentanyl’s grip is essential.

2. What is your strategy for improving public safety?

We’ll continue to combine technology, civilian staffing, and accountability to end the repeat-offender revolving door. We rebuilt APD, added officers, and restored morale. With tools like gunshot detection, automated speed enforcement, and Community Safety Department handling 120,000 calls, officers focus on crime—and every major category is finally coming down.

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

We’ve managed Albuquerque’s budget responsibly—through challenges like COVID, and Trump-era threats of deep federal cuts. I’ll work with state partners to keep core services strong. While I believe voters should decide on any tax increases, in a true emergency tough steps may be necessary to protect the city’s financial security.

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

We’re prioritizing industries that build on our strengths and create local career paths—fusion, quantum computing, directed energy, and aerospace. At the same time, our small businesses are the backbone of local families. Revitalizing neighborhoods and repurposing vacant hotels and office buildings will keep talent here and strengthen our economy.

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

We’re focused on homegrown growth—investing in neighborhood anchors, streamlining permitting, and supporting local entrepreneurs. We’re creating more “third places” beyond home, work, and school where people can connect, like Winrock, 7th and Central, and the United stadium. These vibrant hubs boost small businesses, create jobs, and energize our economy.

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

We’ve tackled homelessness and housing head-on after decades of underinvestment, amid a growing national crisis. The Gateway Network delivers 24/7 care and housing support for 1,000 people daily. We’ve built 2,500 affordable homes, reformed zoning to increase density, and are converting hotels and offices into long-term housing.

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

Prioritize treatment and crisis care. Our Community Safety Department responds 24/7, the new Gateway emergency drop-off, recovery and medical respite centers divert people from ERs and jail into care. We must complete the Gateway’s care pipeline— connecting people to housing, and treatment to break cycles of addiction and homelessness.

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 would you instruct local law enforcement to work with federal immigration officials?

I fully support Albuquerque’s immigrant-friendly policies. Public safety means every resident must feel safe calling police or accessing services. That’s why I signed an executive order ensuring no city resources are used for ICE enforcement, standing up to Trump’s overreach and protecting immigrant families from fear and intimidation.

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

I’ll prioritize affordable housing by converting old hotels and office buildings, alongside community projects like public safety hubs and multigenerational centers. We’ll enhance basic services so parks, buses, facilities, medians, and roads reflect pride in our city, while investing in infrastructure that supports growth, safety, and quality of life.

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

We’ll continue combining iconic projects with safer bike and pedestrian connections. We’re building more destination parks like Phil Chacon, Los Altos, and Wells Park, and completing transformative spaces like the Railyards CNM Film Academy, UNM-to-Downtown corridor, and the Rail Trail, a public art parkway connecting Old Town and Downtown.

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

I measure success by results: 1,000 people sheltered nightly, 2,500 new affordable homes, crime down in every category for the first time in a decade, the nation’s first social-worker-led 911 response, nearly 100% renewable energy, and average hourly wages up $9—momentum I’m ready to build on next term.

12. What differentiates you from your opponents?

Leadership takes hard work, real problem-solving, and vision. When I started, crime was rising, officers were leaving, and Albuquerque had no homeless shelter. Despite COVID and Trump’s attacks, we’ve delivered real progress. My opponents failed to earn public financing, focus on problems instead of solutions, or simply copy our ideas.

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

We must do more for our kids by reducing teen violence through school-based interventions and activities that keep them engaged and safe. With rising costs making life harder, I’ll fight to keep expenses down—expanding access to affordable local food, freezing city fees, and supporting rent payments for families in need.

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?

When I was in high school, I was charged with a petty misdemeanor for being at a party with underage drinking. The charge was promptly dropped.