Councillor Louie Sanchez announces run for Albuquerque Mayor

The field of Albuquerque mayoral candidates grew larger Tuesday as Louie Sanchez, a former police officer and current city councilor, announced he is running for mayor.

Sanchez joined a field of five challengers who’ve filed to run, including incumbent Mayor Tim Keller, who is seeking a third term. The race’s winner will inherit a city concerned about crime and economic uncertainty.

“Enough is enough,” Sanchez said in a statement announcing the run. “As someone who cares deeply about Albuquerque’s future, I cannot stand by while the city I love is held back by a lack of leadership, vision, honesty and accountability. Albuquerque has incredible potential, yet we are weighed down by crime, homelessness, the fentanyl crisis and burdensome regulations that stifle business.”

Sanchez operates an insurance firm and worked as an Albuquerque Police Department officer for 25 years.

Sanchez has been a staunch critic of Police Chief Harold Medina, including raising a vote of no confidence in 2024 that was ultimately withdrawn.

Four candidates ran for mayor in 2021, while seven were in the 2017 race. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election must be held within 45 days. Only the two candidates with the highest number of votes participate in the runoff.

Sanchez was elected to the District 1 seat on the city's West Side in 2021 after ousting Lan Sena, whom Keller appointed to fill the seat following Ken Sanchez's death.

According to Sanchez’s announcement, his campaign will “focus on public safety, economic revitalization and restoring trust in city leadership.”

Sanchez’s campaign filings show he's seeking public financing.

The Journal reached out to Sanchez for comment but did not receive a response.

Who’s running?

Five candidates have filed to run.

So far, the candidates are Keller, former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, former Sandoval County Deputy County Manager Mayling Armijo, retired Barstow, California, fire chief Eddie Varela, and former New Mexico House of Representative candidate Patrick Sais.

Sanchez’s council seat is up for election this year, and no one has publicly announced their candidacy.

The period between March 3 and April 18 is considered an exploratory period. During that time, candidates and potential candidates can collect up to $151,189 in contributions and $75,594 in in-kind contributions.

Those limits only apply to candidates seeking publicly financed campaigns, including every declared candidate except Armijo, who opted for a privately funded campaign.

The filing deadline for publicly financed campaigns is July 7, while the deadline for privately financed campaigns is Aug. 26. The deadline for write-in candidates is Sept. 7, and the election is Nov. 4.