OPINION: Albuquerque deserves better leadership

EDITOR’S NOTE: This op-ed is part of a series of op-eds from Albuquerque mayoral candidates responding to Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s State of the City address.

In his annual State of the City address, Tim Keller painted a rosy picture of Albuquerque that left everyone scratching their heads. He spoke of progress, of momentum, of a city on the rise. But walk through our neighborhoods, our parks or our downtown streets and you’ll see a much different story — rising crime, growing homelessness and an ethically questionable city government full of leaders who have failed to uphold their most basic responsibilities to the people they are meant to serve.

As a business owner who has spent years investing in Albuquerque, I know the potential our city holds. We should be a hub of opportunity, culture and innovation — a place where families feel safe raising their kids and where young people see a future worth building. Instead, we’re losing ground because of poor leadership and misplaced priorities.

Crime continues to spiral out of control. Families don’t feel safe going Downtown, and businesses are forced to spend more money on security than on growth. Every week brings headlines of violent incidents, break-ins and repeat offenders cycling through a broken system. The mayor’s response has been focused on photo ops rather than solutions. Trust in city leadership has eroded, and accountability is nowhere to be found.

Homelessness has only worsened under this administration. Instead of comprehensive solutions, we see a Band-Aid approach that moves people from one corner of the city to another without addressing the underlying problems of addiction, mental health, and lack of jobs and meaning. Meanwhile, taxpayers foot the bill for half-measures that do little more than create frustration for residents and despair for those on the streets. Albuquerque deserves a plan rooted in compassion and effectiveness instead of empty promises that allows the problem to fester.

It’s no wonder businesses are moving out instead of moving in. As a business owner, here’s what I know is true for a thriving city: A combination of a good economy and a safe city is the tide that raises all ships. A safer city and a streamlined permitting process brings in more businesses. More businesses bring in more jobs. More jobs allows for more competition. More competition means better pay and more opportunities for young people coming out of college. More money means a better tax base, and that means everyone’s taxes can go down while maintaining the best services a city can offer. That’s the path forward.

The truth is, we cannot expect a different outcome by relying on the same failed leadership. It’s time for a mayor who knows what it means to work hard, solve problems and get results. I’ve built a business here in Albuquerque, and I know firsthand what it takes to create opportunity and keep people in meaningful jobs. I’ll bring the same determination and practical approach to City Hall.

The state of our city is not strong … yet. We can restore pride in our community, but it will require leadership that doesn’t just talk about change; it will require one that delivers. Albuquerque has always been resilient, and together, we can write a new chapter — one built on safety, opportunity and integrity.