The Albuquerque City Clerk has qualified the following 7 candidates to run for Mayor who will appear on the November 4 ballot but with one dropping out of the race:
- Tim Keller, incumbent two term Mayor seeking third term.
- Darren White, the former sheriff of Bernalillo County and former CEO of medical cannabis company PurLife.
- Louie Sanchez, a retired APD police officer and current city councilor.
- Alex Uballez, the former U.S. attorney for the District of New Mexico.
- Mayling Armijo, the former director of Economic Development for Bernalillo County and deputy county manager for Sandoval County.
- Eddie Varela, a retired Albuquerque firefighter and former California fire chief.
- Daniel Chavez, president of Parking Company of America was the very first to qualify for the ballot, but on September 29 he dropped out the race.
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 five candidates are privately financed.
On October 13, the six remaining candidates for Mayor filed their Seventh campaign disclosure statements. The report covers the time period of September 9 to October 13, 2025. Following is a summary review of finance reports:
- TIMOTHY KELLER
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $757,147 (Same as before.)
- Total Expenditures $476,323 (Previously $103,101)
- In-Kind Contributions $2,427 (Previously 2,427)
- In-Kind Expenditures $3,008 (Previously $248)
- Current Cash Balance $280,823 (Previously $654,046)
- Current Debt Balance $0.00 (Same as before.)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- City of Albuquerque $733,968 (Public Financing)
- Tim Keller $2,500
- Duke City Commercial $781
- Garcia Realty $781
- Tim Keller $650
- Ona Porter $615
Tim Keller lists 191 contributors for a total of $733,968.
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 $280,823.80 on hand to spend during the 3 weeks remaining in the campaign. The Keller expenditures for the reporting period included $31,883 to Nineteen Sixty Campaigns, a full service politcal consulting firm, and $12,945 to Holguin Consulting, the firm owned by his campaign manager Neri Holguin.
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.
2. LOUIE SANCHEZ
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $306,391 (Previously $222,488.)
- Total Expenditures $237,977 (Previously $58,519.69
- In-Kind Contributions $1,000. (No Change )
- In-Kind Expenditures $0 (No change)
- Current Cash Balance $68,414 (Previously $163,969.14)
- Current Debt Balance $152,500 (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
- Howard Gogel $6,000
- Jewelry Market Supply $6,000
- Annie Sanchez $6,000
- Jalapeño Corporation $6,000
- Ty Hise $5,000
- Peggy Mueller-Aragon $4,155
LOUIE SANCHEZ lists 111 contributors for a total of $222,488.83 in contributions.
ANALYSIS: City Councilor Louie Sanchez has raised $306,391.92 with $160,000 of that coming from money Sanchez loaned himself for the campaign in June. His current cash balance stands at $68,414.80 .
Jalapeño Corporation is listed as donating $6,000. Jalapeño Corporation is an oil and gas company owned by former State Republican Party Chairman and National Republican Party Committeeman Harvey Yates.
Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Louis Sanchez.
3. DARREN WHITE
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $271,872 (Previously $198,583)
- Total Expenditures $117,735 (Previously $68,210 )
- In-Kind Contributions $20,867 (Previously $17,821)
- In-Kind Expenditures $25 (Same as before.)
- Current Cash Balance $154,136 (Previously $130,373)
- Current Debt Balance $20,000 (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 $271,872 total, with a current balance of $ $154,136 . White raised $73,019 this period. New cash donations include $5,000 each from Rebecca Weh of Maestas Development Corporation and CSI Aviation, an air charter service and deportation contractor for the federal Department of Homeland Security, and Deborah Maestas, formerly of CSI Aviation and one of the President Trump’s “fake electors” from New Mexico in 2020. Accountant Mary Ann Okeefe and Mountain Run Partners, a real estate firm owned by The Downs Racino owner Paul Blanchard also donated $5,000 each to White.
White has loaned himself over $28,765. White’s largest contributors also include $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 $117,735. White reported paying his longtime friend and political consultant or campaign manager $63,661.
Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for Darren White:
4. ALEXANDER M.M. UBALLEZ
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $193,977 (Previously $197,940)
- Total Expenditures $138,016 (Previously $76,139)
- In-Kind Contributions $24,674 (Previously $8,738)
- In-Kind Expenditures $0.00 (Previously $0.00)
- Current Cash Balance $110,369 (Previously $121,801)
- Current Debt Balance $50,000 (Previously $50,000)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Alex Uballez $50,000
- Michael Cassidy $5,250
- Organizers In the Land of Enchantment $5,000
- OLE $5,000
- Attorney Antonia Roybal-Mack $5,777
- Attorney Darren Cordova $5,777
- Aleli Colon $3,610
- Haley Murphy $2,407
- Brian Colon $1,203
- Diane Cox $1,203
- Gabriela Gomez $1,200
- NM Voters First PAC $1,000.
ALEXANDER M.M. UBALLEZ lists 503 contributors for a total of $197,940.71 in contributions.
ANALYSIS: Alex Uballez ended the reporting period having raised $193,977.68 with a Current Cash Balance of $110,369. Uballez’s single largest donor is himself having donated $50,000 of his own money. Contributors also include $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:
5. MAYLING ARMIJO
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $137,277 (Previously $108,133)
- Total Expenditures $78,900 (Previously $47,433)
- In-Kind Contributions $2,257 (Same as before.)
- In-Kind Expenditures $0.00 (Same as before.)
- Current Cash Balance $58,376 (Previously $60,700.)
- Current Debt Balance $15,175 (Same as before.)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Mayling Armijo $15,175
- Stephen Poe $6,000
- Beelien Armijo $6,000
- Mia Armijo $6,000
- Walter Grodahi $6,000
- Joseph J. Armijo $6,000
Mayling Armijo lists 131 contributors for a total of $108,133.
ANALYSIS: Navy veteran and former Sandoval County deputy manager Mayling Armijo has raised $$137,277, with $58,376. Armijo’s funding includes a $15,175 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 .
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:
6. EDDIE VARELA
COMBINED FINANCIAL TOTALS
- Total Contributions $22,333 (Previously $20,676)
- Total Expenditures $13,926 (Previously $10,819)
- In-Kind Contributions $22,028 (Previously $17, 442)
- In-Kind Expenditures $1,300 (Previously $300)
- Current Cash Balance $8,406 (Previously $9,856)
- Current Debt Balance $10,000 (Previously $10,000)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Eddie Varela $10,000
- CIPGAW $4,000
- Penfold Live, LLC $3,000
- Eddie Varela $2,827
- Jose C. Lopez $2,000
- CIPGAW $1,500
- Angie Custom Design $1,300
- Chester & Diana Stewart $1,000
Eddie Varela lists 58 contributors for a total of $20,676 in total contributions.
ANALYSIS: Retired Albuquerque Fire Chief Eddie Varela shows $22,333 in total contributions, including a $10,000 donation to himself, and $8,406.
Click here to review the financial disclosure statement and to download all filed contributions and filed expenditures for EDDIE VARELA:
MEASURED FINANCE COMMITTEE FINANCIAL REPORTS
There are three measured finance committees (MFA) formed to promote 3 individual candidates for Mayor. On October 13, the 3 committees filed finance reports 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 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 $200,550.00 (Previously $155,350)
- Total Expenditures $41,256 (Previously $35,019)
- In-Kind Contributions -0- (No Change)
- In-Kind Expenditures – 0- (No Change)
- Current Cash Balance $160,369 (Previously $120,330)
- 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
- Curtis & Company Law Firm $10,000
- NCRA Architects $5,000
- Scott Goodman $5,000
- Attorney Randi McGinn $2,500
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 Frequez, 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:
2. Safer Albuquerque Committee (KATRINA TRACY)
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 $221,080.00 (Previously $145,080)
- Total Expenditures $218,327.61 (Previously $140, 519)
- In-Kind Contributions 0.00 (No Change)
- In-Kind Expenditures 0.00 (No Change)
- Current Cash Balance $2,752.39 (Previously $4,560.08)
- Current Debt Balance $0.00 (No Change)
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Katrina Tracy $121,000 (Previously $65,000)
- 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:
3. 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 (No Change)
- Total Expenditures $39,000 (No Change)
- In-Kind Contributions: -0- (No Change)
- In-Kind Expenditures: -0- (No Change)
- Current Cash Balance: -0- (No Change)
- 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 3 weeks before the November 4 election, it is not at all surprising that Mayor Tim Keller has spent the most to get elected to a third term. Following is a breakdown of what each candidate has thus far spent:
- Tim Keller $476,232
- Louis Sanchez $237,977
- Alexander Uballez $138,016
- Darren White $117,735
- Mayling Armijo $78,900
- Eddie Varela $13,928
Following is a breakdown of the cash on hand and what the candidates have left to spend:
- Tim Keller $280,833
- Darren White $117,735
- Alexander Uballez $110,319
- Mayling Armijo $78,900
- Louis Sanchez $68,414
- Eddie Varela $13,928
Mayor Keller continues to have an overwhelming financial advantage over his opponents and it is likely he will finish first and be in the runoff.
Ascend Albuquerque, the measured finance committee formed to support Tim Keller, is also sitting on another $160,369 that will likely be used over the next 3 weeks to promote Keller or be used in the run off.
EMERGING REPUBLICAN SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRAT LOUIE SANCHEZ
The biggest question at this point is will Republican Darren White be in the runoff with Tim Keller? What is beginning to emerge is that Democrat City Councilor Louie Sanchez is beginning to peal away significant Republican support from Darren White and it is having an impact on Darren White’s fundraising.
It is now known that prominent republicans Harvey Yates, former State Republican Party Chairman and Carla Sonntag, President of the New Mexico Business Coalition and former Republican Mayoral candidate Michelle Garcia Holmes and former Chief of Staff to former Attorney General Gary King are now throwing their support behind conservative Democrat Louie Sanchez. Republican Darren White is known to use his radio show to criticize the state Republican Party and candidates backed by Harvey Yates.
Michelle Garcia Holmes is a retired APD police officer and she in particular has been very aggressive in opposing Darren White and pointing out all of his political baggage and his controversial history. Garcia Holmes has said White can not win in a runoff with Tim Keller. She has taken to social media encouraging Republicans to vote for conservative Democrat Louie Sanchez believing he can ultimately defeat progressive Tim Keller.
FINAL COMMENT
Candidates going forward must file new campaign finance reports every Monday until the election day November 4.