The Albuquerque City Clerk has qualified the following 7 candidates running for Mayor who will appear on the November 4 ballot:
- Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller.
- Eddie Varela, a retired Albuquerque firefighter and former California fire chief.
- Alex Uballez, the former U.S. attorney for the District of New Mexico.
- Louie Sanchez, a retired APD police officer and current city councilor.
- Darren White, the former sheriff of Bernalillo County and former CEO of medcal cannabis company PurLife.
- Daniel Chavez, president of Parking Company of America was the very first to qualify for the ballot.
- Mayling Armijo, the former director of Economic Development for Bernalillo County and deputy county manager for Sandoval County.
On June 20, the City Clerk determined that Mayor Tim Keller was the only candidate to qualify for public finance, and he was given $755,946 in public finance. The remaining six candidates are privately financed.
On September 8, the 7 candidates for Mayor were required to file with the City Clerk their updated 6th Mayoral Campaign Disclosure Statement on their contributions and expenditures covering the time period of August 11 to September 8. Following is a summary review of those reports:
- TIMOTHY KELLER
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $757,147.57 (Same as before.)
- Total Expenditures $103,101.01 (Previously $72,910.00)
- In-Kind Contributions 2,427.50 (Previously $1,396.25)
- In-Kind Expenditures $248.16 (Same as before.)
- Current Cash Balance $654,046.56 (Previously $684,237,57)
- Current Debt Balance $0.00 (Same as before.)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- City of Albuquerque $733,968.00 (Public Financing)
- Tim Keller $2,500.00
- Duke City Commercial $781.25
- Garcia Realty $781.25
- Tim Keller $650.00
- Ona Porter $615.00
Tim Keller lists 191 contributors for a total of $733,968.00
ANALYSIS: Mayor Tim Keller is the only candidate to qualify for public financing. His reelection campaign has given $733,968 in public funding on July 17. He ends the period with $654,046.56 on hand after spending $26,000 with a Chicago-based campaign consulting firm and paying $16,945 to his longtime political consultant Neri Holguin, among other smaller expenses. The link to a relied upon or quoted news source is here:
Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Tim Keller.
- MAYLING ARMIJO
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $108,133.65 (Previously $77,666.65)
- Total Expenditures $47,433.50 (Previously $39,939.18)
- In-Kind Contributions $2,257.72 (Same as before.)
- In-Kind Expenditures $0.00 (Same as before.)
- Current Cash Balance $60,700,15 (Previously 37,727.47)
- Current Debt Balance $15,175.65 (Same as before.)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Mayling Armijo $15,175.65
- Stephen Poe $6,000.00
- Beelien Armijo $6,000.00
- Mia Armijo $6,000.00
- Walter Grodahi $6,000.00
- Joseph J. Armijo $6,000.00
Mayling Armijo lists 131 contributors for a total of $108,133.65.
ANALYSIS: Navy veteran and former Sandoval County deputy manager Mayling Armijo has raised $108,133.65 total, with $60,700.15 currently available. Armijo’s funding includes a $15,175.65 loan to herself. Almost half of her total donations came from Armijo family members, including $6,000 each from Joseph, Mia and Beelien Armijo, all of Albuquerque. Her largest non-Armijo donor was $6,000 from Walter Groadhi, a housing developer based in Oregon. She has $60,700,15 cash on hand when before she had $37,727.47 .
The link to a relied upon or quoted news sources are here:
Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for MAYLING ARMIJO:
- EDDIE VARELA
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $20,676.16 (Previously $6,377.66)
- Total Expenditures $10,819.95 (Previously $6,820.76)
- In-Kind Contributions $17, 442.00 (Previously $7,800.00)
- In-Kind Expenditures $300.00 (Same as before.)
- Current Cash Balance $9,856.21 (Previously -$443.10)
- Current Debt Balance $10,000.00 (Previously $0.00)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Eddie Varela $10,000
- CIPGAW $4,000.00
- Penfold Live, LLC $3,000.00
- Eddie Varela $2,827.06
- Jose C. Lopez $2,000.00
- CIPGAW $1,500.00
- Angie Custom Design $1,300.00
- Chester & Diana Stewart $1,000.00
Eddie Varela lists 58 contributors for a total of $20,676.16 in total contributions.
ANALYSIS: Retired Albuquerque Fire Chief Eddie Varela shows $20,676.16 in total contributions, including a $10,000 donation to himself, and $9,856.21 remaining when previously he had negative cash balance of -$443 at the end of the reporting period.
Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for EDDIE VARELA:
4. DARREN WHITE
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $198,583.00 (Previously $179,993.67)
- Total Expenditures $68,210.20 (Previously $63,506.77)
- In-Kind Contributions $17,821.86 (Previously $16,029.16)
- In-Kind Expenditures $25.00 (Same as before.)
- Current Cash Balance $130,373.73 (Previously $116,486.90)
- Current Debt Balance $20,000.00 (Same as before.)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Darren White $20,000
- Progress Healthcare, Inc $10,000
- Darren White $8,765
- RGL Investments $6,000
- Peterson Properties $6,000
Darren White lists 653 contributors for a total of $198,583 in contributions.
ANALYSIS: Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White has raised $198,583.93 total, with a current balance of $130,373.73. White raised the most in individual donations this period, with over $88,000 from supporters, distinguishing his fundraising approach from candidates who have relied heavily on self-funding, though White has loaned himself over $20,000. White’s largest contributors were $6,000 from Pierre Amestoy, a local developer, and $5,000 each from entities associated with the Pitre family’s automotive businesses, cannabis companies Truforia and Elevated Labs, and Peterson Properties run by Doug Peterson. White also reported a $10,000 donation from Progress Healthcare based in Louisiana, though the city’s limit for contributions to mayoral candidates is $6,000. White told the on line news outlet City Desk the extra $4,000 has been returned. White reported spending of $68,210.20 which included $39,000 paid to long time Republican politcal consultant Jay McClesky.
Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Darren White:
- ALEXANDER M.M. UBALLEZ
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $197,940.71 (Previously $98,411.80)
- Total Expenditures $76,139.15 (Previously $68,633.09)
- In-Kind Contributions $8,738.70 (Previously $88.70)
- In-Kind Expenditures $0.00 (Previously $0.00)
- Current Cash Balance $121,801.56 (Previously $29,778.71)
- Current Debt Balance $50,000 (Previously $0.00)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Alex Uballez $50,000
- Michael Cassidy $5,250
- Organizers In the Land of Enchantment $5,000
- OLE $5,000
- Aleli Colon $3,610.72
- Haley Murphy $2,407.27
- Brian Colon $1,203.22
- Diane Cox $1,203.22
- Gabriela Gomez $1,200.00
ALEXANDER M.M. UBALLEZ lists 503 contributors for a total of $197,940.71 in contributions.
Download All Filed Contributions
Download All Filed Expenditures
ANALYSIS: Alex Uballez ended the reporting period having raised $197,940.71 with a Current Cash Balance of $121,801.56.Former U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez, who abandoned public financing and has raised $98,411.80 in individual donations. Uballez’s single largest donor is himself having donated $50,000 of his own money. Large contributors were $962 from Miranda Viscolli, leader of the nonprofit New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, $1,203 each from Brian Colón, former state auditor and managing partner of the Singleton Schreiber law firm’s New Mexico office, and his wife Aleli Colón and multiple donations under $500 from local attorneys.
Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Alexander M.M. Uballez:
- LOUIE SANCHEZ
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $222,488.83 (No change)
- Total Expenditures $58,519.69 (No change)
- In-Kind Contributions $1,000.00 (No change)
- In-Kind Expenditures $0.00 (No change)
- Current Cash Balance $163,969.14 (No change)
- Current Debt Balance $152,500.00 (No change)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Sanchez, Louie $150,000
- Sanchez, Louie $10,000
- Peterson Properties $6,000
- Thomas P. Tinnin $6,000
- Alarid, Vanessa $6,000
LOUIE SANCHEZ lists 111 contributors for a total of $222,488.83 in contributions.
ANALYSIS: There is virtually no major changes from City Councilor Louie Sanchez’s previous campaign finance report. City Councilor Louie Sanchez has raised $222,488.83 with $160,000 of that coming from money Sanchez loaned himself for the campaign in June. His current cash balance stands at $163,969.14.
Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Louis Sanchez.
- DANIEL CHAVEZ
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $114,375.00 (No change)
- Total Expenditures $107,318.47 (Previously $106,107.47)
- In-Kind Contributions $0.00 (No change)
- In-Kind Expenditures $0.00 (No change)
- Current Cash Balance $8,267.53 (Previously $7,056.53)
- Current Debt Balance $0.00 (No change)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Kathleen Chavez $6,000
- Peterson Properties, LLC $6,000
- Ava Bataglia $1,000
- John Martin Bradley $600
- Phillip Ward $500
Daniel Chavez lists 10 contributors for a total of $114,375.00 in contributions.
ANALYSIS: Daniel Chavez, President of Parking Company of America, reported $114,375 in total contributions, including $100,000 he loaned himself. Chavez’s current balance shows $7,056.53 available for campaign expenses after spending over $107,000 on the campaign, most of which was spent on petition circulating. He ended the recent reporting period with $8,267 in cash available. Daniel Chavez is considered by many as the only candidate that is capable of self-financing his campaign and has the ability to donate much more if he chooses.
The link to the quoted or relied upon news source is here:
Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Daniel Chavez:
MEASURED FINANCE COMMITTEE FINANCIAL REPORTS
There are three measured finance committees (MFA) formed to promote 3 individual candidates for Mayor. On September 8, the 3 committees filed finance reports for the period of August 11 to July 8 with the City Clerk as follows:
- ASEND ALBUQUERQUE MEASURED FINANCE COMMITTEE
Ascend Albuquerque is the measured Finance Committee which has been formed for the sole purpose “to support the election of Tim Keller as Mayor of Albuquerque.” On July 14, 2025, Ascent Albuquerque filed it fourth financial disclosure statement as required by the City’s election code. Following is a summary of the Financial Report for Ascend Albuquerque:
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $155,350 (Previously $132,350.00)
- Total Expenditures $35,,019 (Previously $30,276.44)
- In-Kind Contributions -0- (No Change)
- In-Kind Expenditures – 0- (No Change)
- Current Cash Balance $120,330 (Previously $102,073.56
- Current Debt Balance $0.00
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Council of Carpenters, Brotherhood of Carpenters $20,000
- New Mexico Building and Construction Trades Council: $20,000
- Fresquez Concessions, Inc $15,000
- Sangre De Cristo Hotel Investment, LLC $10,000
- IBEW PAC Voluntary Fund $10,000
ANALYSIS: Included in major donations to Ascend Albuquerque are donations from those who do business with the city. Fresquez Concessions, Inc along with one of its principal owners Lenny Freques, manages all the concessions at the airport. The partners of the law firm of Robles, Rael & Anaya donated $30,000. The law firm over any years has been contracted by the city to represent it in civil rights lawsuits. Two brothers of the prominent Garcia family each donated $5,000 and their family are the owners of car dealerships as well as being major downtown developers. The Garcia’s have also made contributions to Mayor Keller’s city endowment fund.
The city link to review the Financial Disclosure Statement for Ascend Albuquerque is here:
- Safer Albuquerque Committee (Safer ABQ)
Safer Albuquerque Committee (Safer ABQ) is the measured finance committee formed to “advocate for Mayling Armijo’s candidacy for mayor during the Albuquerque 2025 mayoral race and align with values that reduce crime, reduce homelessness, and promote job growth.”
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $145,080 (Previously $135,080.00)
- Total Expenditures $140, 519 (Previously $133,363.750)
- In-Kind Contributions 0.00 (No Change)
- In-Kind Expenditures 0.00 (No Change)
- Current Cash Balance $4,560.08 (Previously $1,716.25)
- Current Debt Balance $0.00 (No Change)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Katrina Tracy $65,000 (Previously $55,000)
- Chauling Mary Armijo $40,000
- Four Winds Mechanical HTC/AC $40,000
- Charles Rolison $80.00
The city link to review the Financial Disclosure Statement for Safer Albuquerque Committee (Safer ABQ) is here:
- CIPGAW: Committee to Elect Eddie Varela Mayor of Albuquerque
CIPGAW: Committee to Elect Eddie Varela Mayor of Albuquerque is the measured finance committee which has been formed “for the purpose to Elect Eddie Varela Mayor of Albuquerque.”
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $39,000 (Previously $7,500)
- Total Expenditures $39,000 (Previously $6,924,83)
- In-Kind Contributions: -0- (No Change)
- In-Kind Expenditures: -0- (No Change)
- Current Cash Balance: -0- (Previously $575.17)
- Current Debt Balance: -0- (No Change)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Hat Mesa Oil $39,500
- Bradley William Day $7,500
The city link to review the Financial Disclosure Statement for CIPGAW: Committee to Elect Eddie Varela Mayor of Albuquerque is here:
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
With a little more than 7 weeks before the November 4 election, Mayor Tim Keller has an insurmountable lead when it comes to campaign donations and cash on hand to spend. Following is a breakdown of the current cash balance for each of the 7 candidates:
- Tim Keller $654,046.56
- Mayling Armijo $60,700.15
- Eddie Varela $9,856.21
- Darren White $130,373.73
- Alexander Uballez $121,801.56
- Louis Sanchez $163,969.14
- Daniel Chavez $8,267.53
The measured Finance Committee Ascend Albuquerque which has been formed for the sole purpose of promoting Tim Keller has a current cash balance of $120,330 available to spend.
The fact that Mayor Keller is the only candidate to secure $755,946 in public finance and a measured finance committee that has raised another $155,350 to promote him for a grand total of $911,296,296 is a testament of the power of Keller’s incumbency.
After expenditures, the Keller campaign still has $654,046.56 that will be used to promote his candidacy. All six of the other candidates combined have raised $494,968.29. It is clear evidence Keller is running against a very weak field of candidates given that Keller was the only one who qualified for public finance. The measured fiancé committee promoting Keller still has $120,330 in cash on hand to promote Keller and to tear down his opponents.
It is clear from review of all 6 of Keller’s opponents campaign finance reports that none of his opponents have caught on with major donors except perhaps themselves. All 6 are simply trying to self-finance as much as they can to compete against Keller. Mayling Armijo and her family members have contributed $39,175 directly to her campaign out of $108,133 raised. Eddie Varela has contributed $10,000 directly to his campaign out of $20,676 raised. Darren White has contributed $28,765 directly to his campaign out of $198,583 raised. Louie Sanchez has contributed $150,000 directly to his campaign out of $222,488.83 raised. Daniel Chavez has contributed $100,000 directly to his campaign out of $114,375.00 raised.
Safer Albuquerque Committee, the measured finance committee formed to promote Mayling Armijo, has raised $145,080 but at least $80,000 of that has come from her family. The Current Cash Balance is now $4,560.08.
Some politcal pundits and columnists have said that if Keller’s opponents are unable to raise sufficient campaign donations, there is a possibility that Keller could capture 50% of the vote and avoid a runoff election between the top two finishers. That is likely wishful thinking given just how unpopular Mayor Tim Keller really is amongst voters with one recent poll showing Keller has a disapproval rating of 60% and an older poll finding he has a 33% approval rating. No amount of money spent on his behalf to get him elected to a third term may be enough to reform his image in the eyes of voters who have simply had enough of his self-promotion ways with very little accomplished.
With the November 4 election approaching fast, expect the Keller Campaign to get very aggressive and go negative with his opponents given Keller’s unfavorable ratings. The biggest problem among all 6 of his opponents is that none of the six seem to have truly gained traction and support. All of Keller’s opponents have been relegated to scrambling for private financing and trying to self finance.
Seven weeks in a political campaign can be an eternity. There is a slight chance that a major event will occur that will change the dynamics of the race and one of the 6 candidates will catch on. Until then the general public can expect an onslaught of negative campaign commercials and mailers from all 7 candidates as Mayor Tim Keller’s campaign spends the $654,046.56 cash on hand, the measured finance committee Ascend Albuquerque spends its $120,330 cash on hand and the other 6 candidates spend their combined $494,968.29 .
You can always turn off your TV and radios until November 5.