Alexander Uballez, former US Attorney, announces run for Albuquerque mayor

Alexander Uballez, who oversaw the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico for three years, is running to become the mayor of Albuquerque.

Uballez, who filed to run on Wednesday, officially announced he would vie for the top executive position in Albuquerque on Friday. The election so far is set to pit eight challengers against an incumbent seeking a third term, as residents express concerns about crime, an increasing number of unhoused residents and economic uncertainty.

Uballez told the Journal he wanted to push through what he called a choice between “someone who’s ineffective and someone who’s wrong.”

“We’ve really become disconnected from one another, and the pressures of just living have driven us to hate each other, not see each other as humans. We can change all this. There are proven strategies,” Uballez said.

Uballez was nominated as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico by former President Joe Biden on Jan. 26, 2022. He resigned from the job in February at the request of President Donald Trump.

Before leading the office, Uballez served as an assistant U.S. Attorney for six years. He also worked as a prosecutor in New Mexico’s 2nd Judicial District Court for three and a half years. He received a law degree from Columbia Law School in 2011.

Although he has no experience as an elected official, Uballez said his experience as a prosecutor, combined with his two years at the helm of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, would play a key role in addressing Albuquerque’s crime and public safety issues.

“I think there are politicians who profit off of the idea that we are divided,” he said. “It’s either all this or all that. It’s sweep the streets and incarcerate everyone, or it’s no one should ever be punished, and everyone gets handouts. This is not true. They are all lying to us. There are common-sense solutions.”

The race for mayor is shaping up to be a competitive one.

City records show that nine candidates have filed to run.

Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller is seeking a third term. He faces a challenger from the City Council, Louie Sanchez, as well as seven outside challengers, including Uballez; consultant and human resources executive Alpana Adair; former county economic development manager Mayling Armijo; Albuquerque resident Brian Fejer; former statehouse candidate Patrick Sais; retired fire chief Eddie Varela; and former sheriff Darren White.

However, all nine candidates have an additional hurdle to clear: They need 3,000 signatures of registered voters before the June 21 deadline to get on the ballot.

The office of the mayor and councilors from Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9, who started their terms on Jan. 1, 2022, are all up for election. The election is set for Nov. 4.