It's official! Keller, six challengers in the running for Albuquerque mayor

Seven candidates have so far secured spots in the race for Albuquerque mayor, setting the stage for a potentially fierce competition as incumbent Tim Keller aims for a third consecutive term — an accomplishment no mayor has achieved in the office’s modern history.

The crowded field places Keller against an array of candidates calling for change. Keller recently cast the current moment as a comeback for Albuquerque. But his opponents say that crime and homelessness have risen during Keller’s eight years.

“We’ve worked hard to process the candidates’ petition signatures,” said City Clerk Ethan Watson. “We feel the process went smoothly.”

The candidates who wanted to appear on the ballot come November had to collect 3,000 valid signatures from registered voters between April 19 and 5 p.m. Saturday.

Who’s on the ballot?

• Daniel Chavez, president of Parking Company of America, qualified after receiving 3,427 signatures.
• Alex Uballez, the former U.S. attorney for the District of New Mexico, qualified after receiving 3,643 signatures.
• Louie Sanchez, a former police officer and current city councilor, qualified after receiving 3,588 signatures.
• Mayling Armijo, the former director of Economic Development for Bernalillo County and deputy county manager for Sandoval County, qualified after receiving 3,370 signatures.
• Darren White, the former sheriff of Bernalillo County and CEO of cannabis company PurLife, qualified after receiving 3,562 signatures.
• Eddie Varela, a retired Albuquerque firefighter and former California fire chief, qualified after receiving 3,973 signatures — the second most among candidates.
• Keller qualified after receiving 4,786 signatures.

Who did not make it?

As of Friday, four of the candidates who filed to run are unlikely to appear on the Election Day ballot. The closest was Patrick Sais, who has run for mayor and a state house seat unsuccessfully in the past. He received 1,052 valid signatures.

Alpana Adair, a former hospitality consultant, collected 29 signatures. Brian Fejer, a local blogger, withdrew from the race. Adeo Herrick, who regularly criticizes the city during the City Council’s general comment period, received 38 signatures.

They may still qualify as write-in candidates.

Seven candidates make runoff possible

This is not the most crowded election in recent memory. That distinction belongs to Keller’s first race in 2017, when eight candidates ran for the position. That race went to a runoff between Keller and Councilor Dan Lewis.

With so many candidates in the race, a runoff is possible.

City Clerk Watson explained that runoffs occur when no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote. After the first round, the top two candidates will face each other in the second round. That election must be held within 45 days of the first.