What’s REALLY at stake in the Mayor’s/City Council races?

While crime and homelessness along with the City’s “immigrant friendly” policies will undoubtedly be at the top of the agenda for whoever wins the runoff election in Albuquerque set for December 9 (with in-person early voting running the week before), there are other issues that could hinge on the election outcome (mayor’s race combined with city council). Here are a few of the big ones that we see depending on the outcome of the runoff:

1. Ranked Choice Voting: This arcane and confusing voting tool where votes is a darling of left wing activists who dominate the Democratic Party. We believe that a third Keller term and a more progressive council would likely adopt it with Keller’s blessing.
2. Plastic bag ban: City Council including Klarissa Peña voted in March of 2022 to overturn the City’s plastic bag ban. These bans have failed elsewhere including New Jersey where plastic consumption rose in the wake of the ban, but a more “progressive” council (in the absence of opponents like Klarissa Peña and Louie Sanchez  will likely work to reinstate such a ban.
3. “Free” buses: Albuquerque’s “free” buses have been a touchstone for ill-conceived socialist policies across the nation including New York’s Zohran Mamdani. They have also failed miserably. Darren White has said he wishes to eliminate them. A more centrist council would likely be willing to act, Keller and a more “progressive” council won’t.
4. Taxes and the economy: Within a few months of being elected to his first term in office Mayor Tim Keller signed a $50 million tax increase. Keller had previously claimed he’d have the people decide, but decided against it. White not only opposes tax hikes but says he’d change the City’s charter to ensure that voters ALWAYS have a say on tax hikes. Future tax hikes will hinge on the political composition of city council and this mayor’s race.

These may not be THE hot button issues of the campaign, but they are likely as impactful. Be sure to VOTE!