Keller wins 3rd term despite poor track record: council moves left

With the results of last night’s election in Albuquerque Keller rolls to victory in his bid for an unprecedented 3rd consecutive term. It looks like Klarissa Peña will narrowly win reelection while Stephanie Tellez overwhelmingly defeated Joshua Neal. While dramatic change was in the offing regardless in that District 1 seat regardless of the result it is another instance of a moderate Democrat (Louie Sanchez) being replaced by a far-left “progressive.”

Thus, Keller is back with a Council that has moved somewhat to the left: 4 generally “right of center” councilors, 4 generally “left of center” with Peña as the swing vote.

Unfortunately, the mayoral election was never a fair fight. With the incumbent mayor receiving $1 million from taxpayers to run for reelection he had a big initial advantage. The public campaign financing system is in dire need of reform.

It is also notable just how difficult it is to win as a moderate/conservative in Albuquerque and New Mexico more generally. Whatever Darren White’s limitations or imperfections might be, Keller’s track record is one of an exploding homeless situation, out-of-control crime, and lagging economic growth relative to neighboring cities like Phoenix and Denver (to name two). Keller has made numerous ill-fated policy decisions like an unnecessary gross receipts tax increase at the outset of his administration and “free” buses, not to mention rampant corruption, but voters seem to not hold well-intentioned liberal politicians accountable for their failures.