In 2016, a video went viral on the internet when a high school student endured very friendly harassment for his stylish dress attire by his best friend who yelled the phrase “Damn, Daniel! Back at it again with the white Vans.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfFcyTuopbI

With the November 2 election of Dan Lewis to the City Council, we can all say “Damn Daniel, Lewis back at it again with the failed leadership!”

On November 3, the Albuquerque City Council passed a 5 page “memorial” on a unanimous bi partisan 9-0 vote that reestablishes the Albuquerque City Council’s commitment to bringing down the city’s spiking violent crime rates.

City Councilor Elect and City Councilor retread extraordinaire Dan Lewis, was asked to comment about the city council memorial. Lewis said fixing our crime issues will all come down to “leadership” and he had this to say:

“We have more money than we’ve ever had before so it’s not about revenue. … It’s about good leadership and making good choices. We need to support our police officers.”

https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/albuquerque-city-council-recommits-to-end-crime-drivers/6290668/?cat=500

CITY COUNCIL “MEMORIAL” RECOMMITS TO END CRIME DRIVERS

A “memorial” enacted by the Albuquerque City Council is loosely defined as an acknowledgement or statement of facts followed by a commitment of the city council to make an effort do something or make recommendations that something be done. A memorial is strictly a symbolic effort. A memorial does not bind the city nor mandate action. It is intended as an expression of the council’s position on any given subjected.

SUMMATION OF CITY COUNCIL MEMORIAL

The city council memorial describes in City Council “WHEREAS” language what is occurring in the city involving violent crime, the increasing homicides, the criminal justice system, the need for pre-prosecution programs, the need to detain, prosecute and hold violent criminals accountable for their crimes. The memorial also outlines the bail bond reforms enacted by voters and the need to honor constitutional rights and the presumption of innocent until proven guilty. The memorial goes on to advocate the need for bail bond reform to allow the retention of people charged with violent crime until trial stating “the community has endured horrific tragedies at the hands of felons in possession of handguns” including the killing of two police officers.

The memorial highlights the New Mexico’s Attorney General proposal of “holistic approach to remove systemic gaps in intervention and prevention within the criminal justice system that allowed the release of dangerous individuals from detention without adequate monitoring. The memorial also highlights programs that Mayor Keller has initiated to bring down violent crime including the Metro Crime Initiative which produced 40 action items to close gaps in the criminal justice system.

“ENCOURAGING AND URGING”

The City Council Memorial encourages and urges the following actions be taken:

The Council urges that personnel be exclusively dedicated to a 24/7 comprehensive GPS tracking monitoring system so that interested parties are notified immediately when a monitored person absconds.

“The Council urges the Governor to support legislation, which holds accountable individuals who use firearms in the commission of violent, and property crimes through sentencing weighted toward the higher range of possible prison time.”

The link to full unedited “memorial” and a news source is here:

https://cabq.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5126401&GUID=AEB073F5-2160-46EB-9535-1188D420C040

https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/albuquerque-city-council-recommits-to-end-crime-drivers/6290668/?cat=500

A POLICE DEPARTMENT FAILING IN SIX CORE SERVICES

Instead of the City Council taking the time to pass a memorial essentially asking other government agencies to take action, their time would better used in dealing with a failing Albuquerque Police Department. The Albuquerque City Council plays a critical role in overseeing the Albquerquerqu Police Department and its budget. APD is the largest budgeted department in the city. APD’s approved general fund operating 2022 budget is upwards of $222 million. The 2022 approved APD operating budget has funding for 1,100 sworn positions and 592 civilian support positions for a total of 1,692 full-time positions. The city council has done very little over the last 12 years to exert its budget and oversight authority over APD. The city council has failed to demand results, especially when it comes to performance measure and to the Department of Justice (DOJ) mandated reforms.

APD provides six core services: Patrol, Community Policing, Special Operations, Dispatch, Investigations and Support Services. The performance measures in all 6 core service categories are absolutely critical to determine if APD is in fact performing the services at the highest level achieved from the previous year. APD performing the 6 core services at the highest level will have a direct impact on crime.

APD’s performance measures are essential for the City Council to understand fully the shortcomings and strengths of APD and make critical budget decisions. Without such statics, budget review and decisions are done in the dark and in a real sense become useless, become an exercise in futility and the city council is relegated to rubber stamping whatever budget is presented to them.

The 2021-2022 APD City Council adopted budget reflects that APD is seriously failing in its 6 core services based on the performance measures provided by the department. The link to the 2021-2022 approved budget is here:

Under the core service of PATROL there are 11 performance measures listed. There are no statistics provided in 7 of the 11 measures for the fiscal years 2019, 2020 and 2021. There are no statistics for response times for priority 1 calls answered within 10 minutes, and no response times for priority 2 and 3 calls. No statistics are provided for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 as to the percentage of use of force incidents that met policy standards. No statistics are provided for2019, 2020 and 2021 Traffic Enforcement DWI checkpoints. The statics are “redacted” with a gray box area.

Under the core service of COMMUNITY POLICING, there are only 2 performance measures and they are: 1. Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Projects and 2. Community Engagement Activities Officers Participated. There are absolutely no statistics provided for fiscal years 2019, 2020 and 2021. There are 25 Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Projects that are targeted for 2022 and 950 Community Engagement Activities by Officers targeted for 2022.Virtually all of APD’s Community Policing Measures in the 2 measures listed are “redacted” with a gray box area.

Under the core service of SPECIAL OPERATIONS, there are only 2 performance measures of “Tier Level (1-4): FEMA and National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) certification” and “# monthly hours of tactical training per Special Operations officer”, with absolutely no statistics provided for fiscal years 2019, 2020 and 2021. The performance measures listed are “redacted” with a gray box area.

Under the core service of DISPATCH, there are 4 performance measures and with no statistics provided on calls answered within 15 seconds with the national standard being 90% and calls answered within 20 seconds with the national standard of 95%.

Under the core service of INVESTIGATIONS, there are 7 performance measures in the general category of “Solving Crime”, with no clearance rates provided for crimes against persons (e.g., murder, rape assault), no clearance rates provided for crimes against property (e.g., robbery, bribery, burglary) and no clearance rates provided for crimes against society (e.g., gambling, prostitution and drug violations) for the fiscal years 2019, 2020 and 2021. The performance measures listed are “redacted” with a grey box.

Under the core service of INVESTIGATIONS, homicide clearance rates are provided. In 2019, APD had a homicide clearance rate of 57%, in 2020 the homicide clearance rate was 53%, and in mid-year 2021, the homicide clearance rate was a very disappointing 37%.

The 2021-2022 proposed budget performance measures show APD is down by the thousands in Felony Arrests and Misdemeanor Arrests for the years 2019 and 2020. This reflects the department is not doing its job of investigating and arresting people. APD felony arrests went down from 2019 to 2020 by 39.51%, going down from 10,945 to 6,621. Misdemeanor arrests went down by 15% going down from 19,440 to 16,520. DWI arrests went down from 1,788 in 2019 to 1,230 in 2020, down 26%. The total number of all arrests went down from 32,173 in 2019 to 24,371 in 2020 or by 25%. APD’s homicide unit has an anemic clearance rate of 36%.

Under the core service of SUPPORT SERVICES, there are 9 performance measures, with the most serious being the 4 crisis intervention measurements. No home visits by the Crisis Intervention Unit are provided for the years 2019, 2020 nor mid-year 2021. The performance measures listed are “redacted” with a grey box. No Crisis Interventions for individuals assisted through the Crisis Intervention Unit are listed for the years 2019, 2020 nor mid-year 2021. The performance measures listed are “redacted” with a grey box.

(2021-2022 APD Budget, pages 150, 151)

The link to the 2021-2022 adopted budget is here:

https://www.cabq.gov/dfa/documents/fy22-approved-budget-numbered-w-hyperlinks-final.pdf

VIOLENT MOTELS

According to news reports over the past few months, more and more violent crimes and homicides are occurring at motels. In 2020, there were zero motel homicides. Since the beginning of 2021, there have been at least 11 homicides that have occurred at hotels and motels. There are a handful of metro hotels and motels where murders are occurring on a regular basis and it is on an upward trend. One area in particular that has been identified by the city as very problematic involves five locations off Hotel Circle near Eubank and I-40.

In August, KRQE News 13 looked at how often first responders were being called to a handful of metro hotels and motels. Call sheets for a time span from 2019 to 2021 for five locations off Hotel Circle near Eubank and I-40 were reviewed. The call sheets reviewed revealed Albuquerque Fire Rescue alone responded to 406 calls to the 5 hotels. Half of the calls were to one motel in particular. Emergency calls for police were much higher. APD had 2,554 calls to those same five hotels in the past three years. About half of their calls were also to the same motel.

During an August 3 press conference, Mayor Tim Keller and APD Chief Medina said they’re working on plans to curb violent crime in the city but said they were seeing a pattern. Keller had this to say at the time:

“The majority of homicides in Albuquerque are very specific. … They’re tied to drugs, they’re tied to guns and they’re tied to motels and they happen from midnight to five am and they usually involve males between 25 to 35.”

The links to news source material are here:

https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/albuquerque-sees-uptick-in-homicides-at-hotels/6074374/

https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/records-show-high-amount-of-apd-emergency-calls-are-at-motels-hotels/

Violent and problem motels across the city have always been very problematic for the city when it comes to calls for service, murders and drug dealing. At one time the city took aggressive action against motels to declare them “nuisance” properties and force them to take remedial actions in the form of security measures and included requiring back ground checks on long term occupants. Code enforcement action from 2005 to 2009 was taken against more than one of the motels where the 11 murders have taken place this year.

From 2005 to 2009, the Safe City Strike Force required commercial property and motel owners to make repairs and they were required to reduce calls for service and address security on their properties. The Safe City Strike Force took code enforcement action against 48 of the 150 motels along central and forced compliance with building codes and mandated repairs to the properties.

The Central motels that were demolished were not designated historical and were beyond repair as a result of years of neglect and failure to maintain and make improvements. Central motels that had historical significance to Route 66 were purchased by the City for renovation and redevelopment.

The Central motels that the Safe City Strike Force took action against include the Gaslight (demolished), The Zia Motel (demolished), The Royal Inn (demolished), Route 66 (demolished), the Aztec Motel (demolished), the Hacienda, Cibola Court, Super-8 (renovated by owner), the Travel Inn (renovated by owner), Nob Hill Motel (renovated by owner), the Premier Motel (renovated by owner) the De Anza (purchased by City for historical significance), the No Name, the Canyon Road (demolished), Hill Top Lodge, American Inn (demolished), the El Vado (purchased by City for historical significance), the Interstate Inn (demolished).

The Safe City Strike Force was responsible for the demolition of at least seven (7) blighted motels that were beyond repair.
In 2019, Mayor Tim Keller completed the elimination of the Safe City Strike Force that was begun by Mayor Berry. Keller defunded replaced the Safe City Strike Force with the his ADAPT program which is a water down version and low key approach to dealing with nuisance properties such as motels.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

Lewis’ comments about the memorial enacted reflect that he has learned absolutely nothing during the last 4 years he has been off the city council. Lewis is “back at it again” with failed leadership dogma. Simply put, it’s never been about the money. It’s not about supporting our police. It has everything to do with holding APD sworn police accountable for failing to do their jobs to keep the city safe and its citizens safe.

When Lewis says “We need to support our police officers”, he speaks the typical, hollow Republican philosophy of supporting law enforcement to garner favor with law enforcement. His actions have been contrary to supporting law enforcement. Lewis forgets when he was on the city council he had no problem with the Republican Berry Administration refusing to honor an increase in police hourly pay as a means of combating a deficit. Lewis also voted to “defund the police” when he voted to reduce the funding of APD sworn police officer from 1,100 to 1,000 sworn police. Over the 8 years Lewis served on the City Council, the number of APD sworn officers dropped from 1,100 sworn police officers to 856, yet little was ever said nor heard from Lewis to hold the Berry Administration accountable for a deteriorating APD and the mismanagement of APD. Lewis never once questioned the leadership of Berry’s appointees former APD Chief Ray Schultz and Republican political operative APD Chief Gordon Eden. Lewis himself watched the city’s violent crime rates spike for a full 8 years under his watch, even when he was City Council President.

Lewis to this day often likes to take credit for bringing the DOJ to the city with his sponsorship of a resolution enacted by the City Council. The truth is Lewis had very little to do with or nothing at all to bring the Department of Justice to the city. The DOJ was brought to the city because minority community stakeholders who had been victimized by APD lobbied aggressively and effectively to get the DOJ to come to the city. Even as a City Councilor, Lewis did not attend a single federal court hearing on the Federal Monitor’s reports to find out what APD’s position was on the monitor’s reports.

THE MEMORIAL REFLECTS FAILED LEADERSHIP

The City Council memorial places great emphasis on the support of law enforcement to the point of identifying two sworn police officers by name who gave the ultimate sacrifice and who are clearly heroes. The memorial also singles out the courts as being the problem ignoring the reality that APD is seriously failing in its mission and its 6 core service categories of Patrol, Community Policing, Special Operations, Dispatch, Investigations and Support Services. The council fails to describe the impact of violent crime is having on our community and its citizens by glossing over or not even mentioning the city’s violent crime statistics and victims.

The enactment of the Memorial by the Albuquerque City Council “strongly encouraging” and “urging” other government entities to act is as pathetic as it gets. A memorial where the city council recommits to end crime drivers is downright embarrassing. It is a sign of failed leadership. The only thing the passage of memorials accomplishes is to make the city council feel good and to allow them to claim they are doing something.

PROPOSED CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS

Instead of passing meaningless memorials asking other government agencies to act, the city council could do any number of things with its oversight authority and budget authority of APD that can have a direct impact on crime rates.

Suggested city council actions and ordinances are:

Amend the existing zoning and building codes requiring the installation of “panic alarm” systems installed in motel rooms. The emergency alarm system would be akin to the mandatory fire alarms and sprinkler systems already required.

Enact a resolution calling for the dismissal of the federal Court Approved Settlement Agreement (CASA) by instructing the City Attorney’s office to file a Motion to Dismiss and demanding an evidentiary hearing to prove that the city is incompliance and the spirit and purpose of the reforms have been achieved and if not, requesting the Department of Justice take over the APD to implement the reforms not accomplished.

LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE

Mayor Tim Keller and the Albuquerque City Council have been unable to do anything during the last 4 years to reduce the city’s violent crime rates other than to make empty promises and pass meaningless memorials. With the city’s continuous spiking of violent crime to historical records and with law enforcement, the prosecution and the courts unable to get a handle on the problem, it’s not a matter of if, but how many more times will the city break violent crime and murder rates. Four more years of failed leadership has now become our new reality both in the Mayor’s office and on the City Council.

Each year and few weeks before the commencement of the New Mexico legislature, the Albuquerque City Council enacts a resolution outlining its legislative priorities, including changes to existing laws as well as its wish list for capital improvements projects. Rather than spending time on meaningless memorials that are not likely even read by the Governor nor New Mexico legislators, the City Council should enact its legislative priority list now and work on getting the city’s legislative delegation to support it.

The November 2 city council election saw a shakeup of the city council with 2 Democrat incumbents losing their council seats. In District 1, progressive democrat Land Sena was replaced by a moderate Democrat Louis Sanchez. In District 5 moderate Democrat Cynthia Borrego was replaced by highly conservative Republican Dan Lewis who ran for Mayor 4 years ago and lost to Tim Keller.

The December 7 run off in City Council District 7 is between Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn running against Republican Lori Robertson. District 9 is the Mid-heights including the state fairgrounds area, Coronado Shopping Center and Uptown surrounding areas and parts of the near northeast heights. In the District 9 City Council race, Democrat Rob Grilley is running against Republican Renee Grout. District 9 includes the Far Southeast Heights and the Southeast Central corridor area and the Four Hills Country Club area.

Despite the majority of candidates qualifying for public finance for the November 2 election, there were 2 major measured finance committees (MFCs) that were formed to promote city council candidates opposing incumbent Democrat City Councilors Lan Sena and Cynthia Borrego who both lost on November 2. The two measured finance committees are Albuquerque Ahead and Healthy Economies Lead to Progress.

Albuquerque Ahead raised $34,900 and Healthy Economies Lead to Progress raised $196,532 for a total of $231,432. The cash contributions were spent to promote 3 conservative Republican candidates, Dan Lewis, Renee Grout and Lori Lee Robertson, and one 1 moderate Democrat, Louis Sanchez. The 2 finance committees were successful in ousting Democrat City Councilors Lan Sena and Cynthia Borrego.

After the November 2 election, there are 4 Democrats on the new city council:

District 1 Louis Sanchez (Elected on November 2 defeating Lan Sena.)
District 2 Isaac Benton
District 3 Klarissa Peña (Ran unopposed on November 2 .)
District 6 Pat Davis

After the November 2 election, the 3 Republicans on the new city council are:

District 5 Dan Lewis (Newly elected)
District 4 Brook Bassan
District 8 Trudy Jones

REPUBLICANS CRAWL OUT OF WOODWORK AS DEMOCRATS WAKE UP TO NEW REALITY

It was under Republican Mayor Richard Berry that the Republicans had a majority of 6 to 3 in 2010 on the Albuquerque City Council. That Republican majority changed in the election cycles of 2013 and 2017 after which Democrats took the advantage with a 6-3 majority as the city became more democrat.

It is absolutely clear that the Republican party is making a serious attempt to secure a majority of 5-4, but it will require winning of the District 7 and District 9 city council races in the runoff. On November 10, the Republican Party of New Mexico and the Republican Party of Bernalillo County issued a press release announcing they are joining forces and sharing resources to win two key runoff elections on December 7.

The Republican joint press release states in part:

“Albuquerque’s City Council is poised to see a change in power. District 7 Council candidate Lori Robertson and District 9 Council candidate Renee Grout are in runoff elections. If they win, conservatives will hold the majority on the Albuquerque City Council for the first time in nearly a decade.

“It’s been great having everyone pull together,” said Robertson. “It’s time for real change in Albuquerque. The city has so many problems, and it’s time for positive change and to work for a common cause. We have dozens of volunteers who are helping deliver our conservative message, and we are pushing hard to get out the vote. The pendulum has swung too far left. We need common sense solutions and long-term goals.”

https://newmexico.gop/2021/11/10/rpnm-and-the-republican-party-of-bernalillo-county-unite-to-win-runoff-elections-in-december/

The Bernalillo County Republican Party is already soliciting poll workers. On November 13 the Republicans had their first canvas walks for Robertson and Grout.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND MAYOR TIM KELLER FACE RUDE AWAKENING

The New Mexico Democratic Party (DPNM) has finally caught on to what the Republicans have been up to since the get go and it may be too late. DPNM Executive Director Sean Ward said:

“[The Democratic Party is working] across New Mexico to effectively promote Fiebelkorn and Grilley. … It’s essential that we elect leaders to the Albuquerque City Council who will make the best choices for our schools, our families, and our neighborhoods.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/2445941/runoff-will-decide-two-seats-and-city-councils-political-balance.html

Confidential sources have said that progressive Democrat Mayor Tim Keller was very upset with the fact that both the Democrat State and County party did very little to help him with his election to a second term. Keller complained that the Democratic party did not even come close to helping as much as they did 4 years ago. Keller was reported as calling previous financial supporters in an attempt to “mend fences” and was discouraged by the response. Keller was also said to be upset that many reliable donors he had in years past were nowhere to be found when it came to donating to the measured fiancé committee “Build Back Burque” that was created to promote and raise money to promote him. “Build Back Burque” raised and spent a disappointing $113,500. It was very disappointing because 4 years ago, “ABQ Forward”, the measure finance committee set up to promote Keller raised and spent $663,000 on his behalf.

Conspicuously absent in the 2021 Mayor’s race was also a litany of major endorsements for Keller from Democrats with the exceptions being US Senator Martin Heinrich and Attorney General Hector Balderas. Two term Democrat City Council Diane Gibson was also known to support Democrat Manny Gonzales over Tim Keller after Keller repeatedly snubbed and ignored her during the last 4 years. Gibson has endorsed Tammy Fiebelkorn to replace her, but such endorsements usually have little or no effect on City Council races. Gibson has also alienated many of her constituent’s, especially when she voted more times than not to support Republican Mayor Berry’s initiatives such as the ART Bus project. Gibson actually said at a neighborhood association meeting she was “tired of carrying Berry’s water” on the ART Bus project.

Confidential sources have also confirmed that defeated Incumbent City Councilors Lan Sena and Cynthia Borrego believe that the State and County Democratic party did very little if not absolutely nothing to help them when it came to volunteers and financial support. Democrat Borrego, as President of the City Council, in particular, was reported as being insulted by the Democratic State Party when the party expected her to give major financial support to the party even as she was serving as City Council President and also seeking to get elected to another term and having an uphill battle.

LOW VOTER TURN OUT ELECTIONS

According to the New Mexico secretary of State’s office, the total Bernalillo County registration number, which includes all of Albuquerque, is 445,728. That number is broken down as follows:

Democratic: 209,681 (47.0 %)
Republican: 123,632 (27.7 %)
Libertarian: 4,810 (1.1 %)
No party/independent: (102,855) 23.1 %
Other: 4,750

This year’s 2021 municipal election had the highest voter turnout in the last 20 years with 32% of registered voters voting. In the 2021 municipal elections, registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans in Albuquerque with 175,830 registered democrats in the city to 99,988 register Republicans in the city.

The 2021 municipal election saw upwards of 22,000 more voters over the 2017 election. According to the Bernalillo County clerk’s office, 120,847 voters cast their votes out of the 371,449 registered voters. Keller won with 56% of the final vote (66,051), Sheriff Manny Gonzales secured 26% (30,139) of the final vote and Eddy Aragon secured 18% (21,654) of the vote and write in candidate Patrick B. Sais secured 294 votes, less than half of 1%.

In the 2021 municipal election, Republicans voted at a higher rate citywide with 38.75% of registered Republicans voting compared with 36.72% of Democrats voting. Voter turnout was highest in the Northeast Heights District 8 represented by Republican Trudy Jones at 39% and in District 4 represented by Republican Brook Bassam at 35.3% even though neither councilor was on this year’s ballot. The Southwest Albuquerque District 3 represented by incumbent Klarisa Pena, who ran unopposed, had the lowest turnout, with only 17.8% of registered voters participating. Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller won all 9 city council districts by comfortable margins.

The explanation for the historical turnout in 2021 is that New Mexico law was changed that consolidated local elections that that increased the voter turnout. This year’s municipal election was not conducted by the city clerk but conducted by the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office. The 2021 ballot featured the mayor’s race, 5 city council races and voter bond approval of multiple bonds, including one for a soccer stadium. The 2021 ballot also had the the Albuquerque Public Schools, Central New Mexico Community College, the Village of Tijeras, the Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District on the ballot and more.

PAST ELECTIONS WORTH REMEBERING

In 2017, then New Mexico State Auditor Tim Keller was elected Mayor by first beating all of 7 of his opponents to get into a runoff when only a total 97,971 registered voters voted. Keller got into the 2017 runoff securing 38,156, or 39.9% of the vote and Dan Lewis who secured 22,238 votes or 22.3%. Keller went on to win the 2017 runoff by a decisive landslide by securing 60,219 votes or 62.20% against Dan Lewis who secured 36,594 or 37.8% of the vote. Although Keller’s final 2017 runoff mayor’s race victory margin was impressive what was not impressive is that only 97,399 voted or 29% out of over 300,000 registered voters.

In the 2017 Mayor’s race, then State Auditor Tim Keller was the only candidate that qualified for public finance. According to campaign finance reports, Tim Keller was given a total of $506,254 in public finance combined for the first election and the runoff and he collected $37,870 in “in kind” donations. Notwithstanding being a public finance candidate, Keller had 3 measured finance committees that either raised money directly to spend on his behalf or that indirectly spent money and supported him financially. ABQ Forward Together was the measured finance committee that was formed specifically to raise money to promote Tim Keller for Mayor and it was managed by Tim Keller’s former campaign managers for his State Senate runs Neri Olguin. In the 2021 election Olguin was Keller’s campaign manager.

In 2017 ABQ Forward Together raised $663,000, with major contributions from organized labor including city unions such as AFSME. The measured finance committee ABQFIREPAC, organized by the City’s local Fire Union raised $67,000 with that money spent to help not only Keller but also Democrat City Council candidates. ABQFIREPAC spent at least $25,000 for a TV commercial benefiting Keller, yards signs and a freeway billboard. The measured finance committee ABQ Working Families also supported Tim Keller and raised $122,000 and has $22,000 remaining. Broken down, at least $1,169,254 minimum was been spent on Tim Keller’s campaign for Mayor in 2017 ($506,254 public finance money + $663,000 ABQ Forward = $1,169,254 total). Broken down further, a maximum of $1,358,254 was potentially spent on Tim Keller’s campaign for Mayor ($506,254 public finance money + $663,000 ABQ Forward + $67,000 ABQFIREPAC + $122,000 ABQ Working Families = $1,358,254.)

The 2013 Albuquerque Mayor’s race was the lowest voter turnout in the city’s history with only 70,473 voting, or a miserable 19%, out of a little more 300,000 registered voters. Two Republicans, incumbent Richard Berry and retired APD Sargean Paul Heh and one Democrat, Pete Dinelli, qualified to be on the ballot. Democrat former Albuquerque first lady Margaret Aragon de Chavez withdrew from the race. Former Democrat Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico Diane Denish and Democrat City Councilor Ken Sanchez, who passed away on January 1, 2021 declined to run that year. In 2013, then Republican incumbent Mayor Richard Berry won the Mayor’s race garnering 48,008 votes or 68.12% votes with Democrat Pete Dinelli garnering 20,248 votes or 28.73% and Republican Paul Heh securing 2,217 votes or 3.15%.

In the 2013 Mayor’s race, Democrat candidate Pete Dinelli qualified for public fiancé and was given $340,00 for the campaign. Duke City Rising, the measure finance committee formed to promote Democrats raised upwards of $60,000 but spent very little on the Mayor’s race and instead used it to help and promote almost exclusively Democrat City Council Candidates. Despite a commitment to raise funding of upwards of $150,000 by then Democratic Party Chairman Sam Bregman for Duke City Rising to help in the Mayor and City Council races, only office space was given. Then Democrat Party Chairman Bregman reneged on his promise to raise money and asked Democrat Dinelli to raise money for the Democratic party instead. Democrat United States Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall at the time declined to get involved with the Mayor’s race saying they did not endorse in municipal elections and yet later endorsed Democrats in city council run off elections and allowed their names to be placed on a flyer promoting Democrat City Councilor Diane Gibson saying she had “friends in high places”.

In the 2013 mayor’s race, Republican Richard Berry raised and spent $1.1 million in private financing. For a supposedly nonpartisan race, Mayor Berry’s 2013 private finance contributors list was very top heavy with prominent Republican donors and heavy hitters including:

The Republican National Committee ($10,000 donation), Brewer Oil Company ($5,000 donation), Western Refining Company ($5,000 donation), Pete Domenici, Jr., Republican Party Chairman Harvey Yates, former State Senator Micky Barnett, Ed Lujan, Bill Sego, Don Chalmbers, Jon Barela, Lt Governor John Sanchez, Margaret and Turner Branch, former City Councilors Nadine Bicknel, Herb Hughs and Michael Brasher, Republican State Representative Larry Larrinaga, Representative Nate Gentry, Republican political operative Sherman McCorkle who headed Berry’s transition team in 2009, Republican City Councilor Trudy Jones, PNM Executive John Ackerman, Bob Stamm of Bradberry and Stamm Construction, Jack Stahl, former PNM President Gerry Geist, Representative Justin Fox Young, advertiser and former candidate for Governor Doug Turner, National Association of Industrial And Office Parks(NAIOP), New Mexico Chapter, and many Economic Forum members just to mention a few.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

There is an old saying in New Mexico politics, “As goes Albuquerque’s vote, so goes the state.” History has shown the city of Albuquerque has always played a major role in electing Republicans over Democrats in state races. Republican Governors David Cargo, Gary Caruthers, Gary Johnson and Susana Martinez. The many elections of Republican US Senator Pete Domenici and Congressman Manuel Lujan for decades are the best examples. Both the State Republican Party and the Bernalillo County Republican Party know Albuquerque is critical and they likely view the takeover of the Albuquerque City Council as the first major step to winning and returning to some semblance of power in next year’s midterms, perhaps even the Governor’s office with an upset.

DER FÜHRER TRUMP NEW MEXICO REPUBLICAN PARTY

On July 30, 2021 the 3 top officials of the Bernalillo County Republican Party resigned over party infighting and after an attempt to remove the party chairwoman. Resigning their positions were GOP County Chairwoman Julie Wright, Treasurer Joe Foor and Secretary Denise Foor. The 3 resigned over party infighting and after an attempt to remove party chairwoman Julie Wright. The 3 county GOP resignations came as the November 2 races for Albuquerque Mayor and City Council began to heat up and as the 2022 election cycle begins.

In her resignation letter, Wright charged that Republican State Chairman Steve Pearce had encouraged dissenters within the party. Wright wrote in part:

“… many RPNM officers fully support a small faction of [Trump] dissenters who are causing chaos within the party. … How am I supposed to help our candidates fight the Democrats when Steve Pearce allows and incentivizes a group of rogues to sow unrest amongst our party?”

At the core of the State Republican Party’s infighting is the loss of elections. In Albuquerque, only 2 Republican lawmakers are still in office out of more than 20 seats after Democratic gains in 2018 and 2020. A mere 8 years ago, Republicans held a super majority on the City Council and the Mayor of Albuquerque was Republican.

For the November 2 Albuquerque Municipal election, the Republican Party initially failed to find a viable candidate to run for Mayor of Albuquerque, with Republicans first ostensibly satisfied with supporting and voting for “Democrat In Name Only” Manny Gonzales who was a Trump supporter. Then radio talk show host and Der Führer Trump Republican Eddy Aragon got into the race very, very late, secured the required number of nominating petition signatures in 14 days and went on to secure 18% of the vote. It was no secret that Manny Gonzales was attempting to build a coalition of conservative Democrats, Republicans and Trump supporters and Aragon put an end to that as a spoiler in the race.

It is becoming more likely than not that Der Führer and former President Donald Trump will again be running again for President in 2024. Trump has already amassed a war chest of $102 million entering 2nd half of 2021.

Both the New Mexico Republican Party and Bernalillo County Republican party continue to grasp and acknowledge Der Führer Trump as their national leader. To this day, State Republican Chairman Steve Pearce and Southern New Mexico United States Congresswoman Yvette Harrel have refused to back away from Der Führer Trump and have failed to condemn his lies of widespread voter fraud.

DECEMBER 7 RUNOFF

The December 7 runoff will only be for District 7 and District 9 and for that reason the voter turnout will be dramatically lower. To complicate things is that the city council races are nonpartisan by state law and therefor party affiliation will not be delineated on the ballot.

It is common knowledge amongst political insiders that Republicans Lori Robertson in District 7 and Renee Grout in District 9 are both very right wing Der Führer Trump supporters. Robertson and Grout both avoid stating their party affiliation on the campaign materials as they rely on the misleading Republican ploy to lull Democrats to vote for them saying that municipal elections are non-partisan and “you should vote for the person and not the party.” Robertson and Grout are relying on Republican Party financial support, volunteer work and Republican measured finance committees.

FIRST RUNOFF STATEMENT

Both Republicans Lori Robertson in District 7 and Renee Grout in District 9 already have a distinct financial advantage over Democrats Tammy Fiebelkorn and Rob Grilley. On November 8, Healthy Economies Lead to Progress, the measured Finance Committee established to promote and support Republicans filed its Runoff Finance statement for the time period of October 30 to November 5 reporting no contributions and reporting it has a closing balance of $87,864.62 for the reporting period it can use for the city council runoff election.

CHAMPING AT THE BIT FOR AN UPSET

The Republican party, state and county, is no doubt champing at the bit to make progressive Democrat Mayor Tim Keller life’s miserable during his second term in an effort to end his political career. They know full well Keller could run for higher office which will likely be Governor. To complicate matters for Keller, Dan Lewis is returning to the city council and no matter if the council retains a Democrat majority it will be far more hostile to Keller than in 2017 when Lewis lost to Keller in a landslide.

Should there be a Republican takeover of the Albuquerque City Council, you can expect any number of setbacks of progressive programs and policies promoted by Keller and see advocacy of Republican policies and programs including but not limited to:

1. Repeal of the city’s immigration friendly policy that Republicans falsely label as sanctuary city.
2. Opposition to or perhaps repeal of the city’s minimum wage ordinance.
3. Opposition to any mandatory sick leave ordinances for the private sector.
4. Oppose enforcement by Mayor Keller of emergency health care orders for the Corona Virus Pandemic, including opposing any and all-mask mandates and opposing mandatory covid vaccinations of city employees.
5. Reduction in social service programs to help the homeless and the poor, including a scaling back of the Gateway Homeless shelter operations.
6. Advocacy of late term abortion prohibitions as was placed on the 2013 municipal ballot and which failed then.
7. Opposition to the Department of Justice mandated police reforms.
8. Oppose any and all increases in the gross receipts taxes or property taxes to fund city essential services even when deficits occur.
9. Advocate the reduction in the size of city government and eliminate new departments and programs created by Mayor Keller by denying funding for such Departments as the “Office of Equity and Inclusion” that deals with immigrant relations.
10. Advocacy of increased criminal penalties as part of the city’s legislative package and bail bond reform measures.

A FAILURE TO LEARN

Democrats have the bad habit of just not voting in municipal elections while Republicans make it a part of their practicing religion. The blunt truth is that Democrats lose elections in the city because they do not vote and Republicans rely on low voter turn outs and spend considerably more than Democrats to win municipal elections. That was the case in 2013 mayor’s race when only 19% voted and Democrats stayed home and it could easily happen again in this year’s city council race run off election.

A Republican takeover of the Albuquerque City Council is very doable with aggressive campaign spending coupled with a low voter turnout in a runoff with both expected. As is the case across the United States, the Bernalillo County and the State Republican Party’s both have a desire to set the tone for an upset in next year’s elections, especially the Governor’s race. Republicans believe a takeover of the Albuquerque City council will help to do that very thing.

If that happens, Democrats have only themselves to blame by never taking municipal elections seriously and failing to vote and failing to donate to Democratic candidates.

LINKS TO DONATE

The link to the Tammy Fiebelkorn District 7 campaign where you can volunteer and can make a donation is here:

https://tammyforalbuquerque.com/

The link to the Rob Grilley District 9 campaign where you can volunteer and can make a donation is here:

https://www.rob4abq.com/

EDITOR’S DISLOSURE NOTICE:

www.PeteDinelli.com is a political blog established by a life long Democrat who ran for Mayor in 2013 and who was on the receiving end of nasty Republican smear tactics prepared and orchestrated by Republican Political operative Jay Mc Clusky who managed Mayor Berry’s campaign in the 2013 Mayor’s Race. “It’s my blog and I can do what I want, do what I want and you would cry foul too if it it happened to you!”

The November 2 city council election saw a shakeup of the city council with 2 Democrat incumbents losing their council seats. In District 1 a progressive democrat was replaced by a moderate Democrat. In District 5 a moderate Democrat was replaced by a highly conservative Republic who ran for Mayor 4 years ago and lost to Tim Keller.

Despite the majority of candidates qualifying for public finance, there were 2 major measured finance committees (MFC) that were formed to promote city council candidates opposing incumbent Democrat City Councilors Lan Sena and Cynthia Borrego who both lost on November 2. The two measured finance committees are Albuquerque Ahead and Healthy Economies Lead to Progress.

Albuquerque Ahead raised $34,900 and Healthy Economies Lead to Progress raised $196,532 for a total of $231,432. The cash contributions were spent to promote 3 conservative Republican candidates, Dan Lewis, Renee Grout and Lori Lee Robertson, and one 1 moderate Democrat, Louis Sanchez. The 2 finance committees were successful in ousting Democrat City Councilors Lan Sena and Cynthia Borrego.

NOVEMBER 2 ELECTION

In District 1, Democrat Louie Sanchez qualified and was given $41,027 in public finance and went on to defeat incumbent Lan Sena who also qualified for public fiancé. However, Sanchez received significant support from a measured finance committee.

In District 5, Republican Dan Lewis qualified for public finance and was given $50,489 and went on to defeat Democrat Cynthia Borrego who also qualified for public fiancé. However, Lewis received significant support from a measured finance committee.

In District 7, Democrats candidates Tammy Fiebelkorn and Travis Kellerman qualified for public finance and were given $44,194. Democrat candidates Emilie De Angeli, Mauro Walden-Montoya and Andres Valdez, Sr. were unable to collect the required number of $5 qualifying donations. Candidates Walden-Montoya and Valdez switched to private financing during the qualifying period. Republican Lori Robertson raised and spent $72,687. Democrat. Robertson came in first on November 2 and Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn came in second.

In District 9, Republican Renee Grout qualified for public finance and was given $41,791 in public finance as did Democrat Rob Grilly. Both have made it into the run off. The third candidate Democrat Byron Powdrell elected to seek private financing.

DEMOCRATS FOR CITY COUNCIL ABANDON PUBLIC FINANCE AND SEEK PRIVATE DONATIONS

The runoff election for City Council Districts 7 and District 9 are scheduled for December 7. Public finance funding for the city council candidates dictates that candidates in a runoff get 33 cents per registered voter. In District 7 that translates into $14,584 and in District 9 that translates into $13,791. Simply put, that amount of money makes it difficult to be competitive against privately finance candidates.

It has been reported that District 7 Democrat candidate Tammy Fiebelkorn and District 9 Democrat candidate Rob Grilley and Republican Renee Grout have decided not to accept nor seek public fiancé for the runoff campaign and will be seeking private campaign contributions.

Republican Robinson raising private financing of $72,687 to Fiebelkorn’s public finance of $44,194 for the November 7 no doubt played a major role in Fiebelkorn’s decision. Fiebelkorn had this to say:

“I’m a firm supporter of public financing and keeping special interests out of the election … but the allotment [of $14,584] for the runoff is really too low. … We’re up against a really well-funded opponent [Republican Lori Robertson]. ”

In District 9, both Republican Renee Grout and Democrat Rob Grilley qualified for public finance for the November 2 election but have announced they will seek public financing for the runoff. Grout had this to say:

“We thought it was in our best interest to do it that way …We don’t think $13,000 in public finance is enough [ and we can raise more]”

Democrat Grilley said Republicn Grout’s decision to seek private financing forced his hand. Grilly had this to say:

“I really don’t want to be in a situation where I get to stand proudly [accepting public financing and then] getting absolutely blown out of the water because I have no opportunity to [defend] myself from my opponent because she has three to five times as much money and mailers as I do.”

The link to the quoted source material is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/2445494/council-runoff-candidates-abandon-public-financing.html

MEASURED FINANCE COMMITTEES EXPLAINED

Under the City of Albuquerque’s campaign finance laws, a Measure Finance Committee (MFC) is a political action committee (PAC), person or group that supports or opposes a candidate or ballot measure within the City of Albuquerque. Measure Finance Committees are required to register with the City Clerk. Measure finance committees are not bound by the individual contribution limits and business bans like candidates. No Measure Finance Committee is supposed to coordinate their activities with the individual candidates running for office, but this is a very gray area as to what constitutes coordination of activities and it is difficult to enforce.

The fact that measure finance committees are not bound by the individual contribution limits and business bans like candidates is what makes them a major threat to warping and influencing our municipal elections and the outcome. Any Measure Finance Committee can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money and can produce negative ads to destroy any candidate’s reputation and candidacy.

FOLLOW THE REPUBLICAN MONEY

Because of the sure magnitude of $231,432 raised by Albuquerque Ahead and Healthy Economies Lead to Progress, a review of the campaign finance reports for both MFCs and the major donors is in order and reveals the following:

ALBUQUERQUE AHEAD (City Council MFC)

This measured finance committee was established by the Bernalillo County Republican Party to promote the 2 Republican candidates Dan Lewis and Renee Grout.

5TH CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT

The 5th campaign finance report filed by “Albuquerque Ahead” reflects that on July 7, 2021, the Bernalillo County Republican Party donated $9,000 to this MFC. The one major expenditure of $5,184.00 is to Majority Strategies, a Republican leaning political consulting firm. Albuquerque Ahead raised $10,250 during the 5th the reporting period designated to support Dan Lewis and Renee Grout, including $2,000 from Arizona-based GDC and from James Baird and Karen Espinosa, each donating $1,000.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

7TH CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT

The 7th Campaign finance reports reflects the largest cash balances for donations and expenditures for Albuquerque Ahead for the reporting period of September 7 to October 4th with a cash balance of $14,223.47, total monetary contribution for reporting period of $10,520, total expenditures for the reporting period of $17,152 and a closing balance of $7,591.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

9TH CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT

The 9th Campaign finance report for Albuquerque Ahead filed on October 25 covering the time frame of October 16 to October 22 reflects cash donations of $3,630.00, expenditures of $8,360.28 and a closing balance of $2,630.95. All donations ranges from $50 to $250.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

10TH CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT

The 10th Campaign finance report for Albuquerque Ahead filed on November 1 covering the time frame of October 23 to October 29, reflects a closing balance of $2,022 and that respected businessman LARRY RAINOSEK the owner of Frontier Restaurant donated $5,000 to promote Republican Dan Lewis and another $5,000 to promote Republican Renee Grout, with both being successful on November 2.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

A REPUBLCAN CITY COUNCILLOR STICKING HER NOSE INTO THE RACES FOR PERSONAL GAIN

The “Run Off” Campaign finance statement filed on November 8 for Albuquerque Ahead reflects a closing cash balance of $2,022. The runoff campaign statement also reflects that Republican District 8 Albuquerque City Councilor Trudy Jones made a $500 donation. Informed sources have said Councilor Trudy Jones wants a Republican majority on the City Council so that she can be elected President of the City Council. As a former Real Estate Agent, it’s expected Jones will endorse fellow realtor Republican Lori Lee Robertson in District 7.

HEALTHY ECONOMIES LEAD TO PROGRESS

The purpose of the donations made to Healthy Economies Lead To Progress is to make “independent expenditures” but depending on donor designation was created to support Republican candidates and one moderate Democrat to oust a Democrat progressive. The candidate were District 1 Democrat Louie Sanchez who defeated incumbent Democrat City Councilor Lan Sena, District 5 candidate Republican Dan Lewis who defeated Democrat incumbent City Councilor Cynthia Borrego, District 7 Republican candidate Lori Lee Robertson who made into the runoff and is running against Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn and District 9 Republican candidate Renee Grout who made it into the run off and is now running against Democrat Rob Grilley, Jr.

7TH FINANCE REPORT

According to the 7th Campaign finance report, Healthy Economies Lead to Progress had total monetary contribution for the reporting period of $49,639.22. The major donors and amounts reported are:

NEW MEXICO RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION (Carol Wight): $20,000
COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS NM: $18,639.22
JOHNSON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE, LLC: $4,000
ABRAZO HOMES, LLC: $2,500
JEAN F BERNSTEIN: $1,000
DAVE HILL INC: $1,000
BRUCE J STIDWORTHY: $1,000
WILLIAM T ROBERTSON: $1,000

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

8TH FINANCE REPORT

According to the 8th Campaign Finance Report filed by Healthy Economies Lead to Progress on October 18 for the time period of October 5 to October 15, the measured finance committee raised $25,606 in cash and spent $73,865.16. The major donors are:

COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS NM: $10,000
PREMIER DISTRIBUTING COMPANY: $5,000
STEVE MAESTAS: $5,000 ( two $2,500 donations)
ANGELA WILLIAMSON: $2,000
TITAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC: $1,000
MICHAEL LEACH: $1,000

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

9TH FINANCE REPORT

According to the 9th Campaign Finance Report filed by Healthy Economies Lead to Progress on October 25 for the time period of October 16 to October 2, the measured finance committee reported raising $91,700.00, and spent $34,714.76 leaving a closing balance of $58,365.30. Major doners include:

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS FUND: $64,000
NEW MEXICO RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION: $10,000
PETROYATES, INC.: $10,000
ABC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE: $5,000.00

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

10TH FINANCE REPORT

According to the 10th Campaign Finance Report filed by Healthy Economies Lead to Progress on November 1 for the time period of October 23 to October 29 the measured finance committee raised $29,587.00 and has an ending balance of $87,864.62 that can be used for the two city council runoffs. Major donors include:

REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE: $20,000.00
NEW MEXICO NAIOP PAC: $1,500
SHERMAN MCCORKLE: $1,000 EDITORS NOTE: McCorkle has been a Republican political operative and insider for many decades.

FIRST RUNOFF STATEMENT

On November 8, Healthy Economies Lead to Progress filed its Runoff Finance statement for the time period of October 30 to November 5 reporting no contributions and reporting it has a closing balance of $87,864.62 for the reporting period it can use for the city council runoff election.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

It was under Republican Mayor Richard Berry that the Republicans had a majority of 6 to 3 in 2010 on the Albuquerque City Council. That Republican majority began to change in subsequent election cycles in 2013 and 2017 after which Democrats had the advantage with a 6-3 majority as the city became more democrat.

It is absolutely clear that the Republican party is making a serious attempt to secure a majority of 5-4 on the Albuquerque City Council, but it will require winning of the District 7 and District 9 city council races in the runoff. The Republican Party of New Mexico and Republican Party of Bernalillo County issued a news release to announce they “are joining forces and sharing resources to win two key runoff elections,” saying they are mobilizing an “army of volunteers” to get out the vote for Republican candidates Republican candidates Lori Robertson in District 7 and Renee Grout in District 9. A Republican takeover of the city council is very doable with aggressive campaign spending coupled with a low voter turnout in a runoff with both expected.

Bernalillo County Republican Party Chairman John Rockwell had this to say:

“We have an opportunity to take control of the Albuquerque Council, and this could mean great things for the future of the city. … We have to do everything we can to grow our base and to get more Republicans involved.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/2445941/runoff-will-decide-two-seats-and-city-councils-political-balance.html

A Republican takeover of the city council is very doable with aggressive campaign spending coupled with a low voter turnout in a runoff with both expected.

VOTER TURN OUT WILL BE CRITICAL

The 2021 municipal election saw upwards of 22,000 more voters over the 2017 election. According to the Bernalillo County clerks office, 119,745 votes were cast out of the 383,000 registered voters. According to the Bernalillo County clerks office, turnout countywide was 30.5% and city-wide turnout was just over 32%. With 119,745 votes cast, representing 32%, the 2021 election goes down as having the highest voter turnout going back 20 years. In the 2017 mayor’s race and municipal election, 97,399 voted or 29%. In the 2013 mayor’s race, only 70,473 voted, or a miserable 19%.

The likely explanation for the historical turnout in 2021 is that New Mexico law was changed that consolidated local elections that that increased the voter turnout. This year’s municipal election was not conducted by the city clerk but conducted by the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office. The 2021 ballot featured the mayor’s race, 5 city council races and voter bond approval of multiple bonds, including one for a soccer stadium. The 2021 ballot also had the the Albuquerque Public Schools, Central New Mexico Community College, the Village of Tijeras, the Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District on the ballot and more.

The city’s 2021 run off election is now scheduled for December 7 and only District 7 and District 9 will be on the ballot and for that reason the voter turnout will be dramatically lower. To complicate things is that the city council races are nonpartisan and therefor party affiliation will no be delineated on the ballot.

The blunt truth is that Democrats lose elections in the city because they do not vote and Republicans rely on low voter turn outs and spend considerably more than Democrats to win municipal elections. That was the case in 2013 mayor’s race when only 19% voted and Democrats stayed home while Republicans voted and outspent the only publicly financed Democrat candidate with $1.1 million in private finance spent by the Republican incumbent and $340,000 spent in public finance by the only Democrat who qualified for public finance by collecting the required number qualifying $5 donations.

CONCLUSION

The Republican party is no doubt champing at the bit to make progressive Democrat Mayor Tim Keller life’s miserable during his second term in an effort to end his political career knowing full well he could run for higher office which will likely be Governor. To complicate matters for Keller, Dan Lewis is returning to the city council and no matter if the council retains a Democrat majority it will be far more hostile to Keller than in 2017 when Lewis lost to Keller in a landslide.

LINKS TO DONATE

The link to the Tammy Fiebelkorn District 7 campaign where you can volunteer and can make a donation is here:

https://tammyforalbuquerque.com/

The link to the Rob Grilley District 9 campaign where you can volunteer and can make a donation is here:

https://www.rob4abq.com/

EDITOR’S DISLOSURE NOTICE:

www.PeteDinelli.com is a political blog established by a life long Democrat who ran for Mayor in 2013 and who was on the receiving end of nasty Republican smear tactics prepared and orchestrated by Republican Political operative Jay Mc Clusky who managed Mayor Berry’s campaign in the 2013 Mayor’s Race. “It’s my blog and I can do what I want, do what I want and you would cry foul too if it it happened to you!”

Each Veterans day, I am compelled to pay tribute to members of my family who have given so much and sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms and to protect this great country of ours. All these family members were born and lived in New Mexico, two were born in Chacon, New Mexico and the rest raised and educated in Albuquerque.

One gave the ultimate sacrifice during time of war.

My father Paul Dinelli and my Uncle Pete Dinelli, for whom I was named after, both served in the US Army during World War II when the United States went to war with Italy, Germany and Japan. The United State was at war with Italy during World War II. My father and uncle were first generation born Americans and the sons of Italian immigrants who settled in Albuquerque in the year 1900 to live the American dream. My Uncle Pete Dinelli was killed in action when he stepped on a land mine. My father Paul Dinelli was a disabled American Veteran when he returned to Albuquerque after World War II.

My uncles Fred Fresques and Alex Fresques, my mother’s two brothers, also saw extensive combat in World War II. My Uncle Alex Freques served in England and was in the Air Force. My uncle Fred Fresques saw extensive action in the US Army infantry to the point that he refused to talk about what he saw to anyone. My Uncle Fred was awarded 3 bronze stars and the purple heart for his war time service.

After the war, Uncle Fred returned to Albuquerque and raised his family in Barelas. Over many years, my Uncle Fred was active in the Barelas Community Center and was a trainer for the “Golden Gloves” competition teaching young adults the sport of boxing.

My father in law, George W. Case, who passed away a few years ago at the age 93, served in the United States Navy during World War II and saw action while serving on a destroyer. My father in law George Case was so proud of his service that he wore a World War II Veterans cap every day the last few years of his life. After the war, my father in law George Case returned to Albuquerque was married to my mother in law Laurel Del Castillo for 50 years, raised a family of 4 girls. George eventually owned a liquor store for a few years and then went on to build, own and operate the Old Town Car wash and was in the car wash industry for a number of years.

My nephew Dante Dinelli, was born and raised in Albuquerque and joined the service a few years after graduating from Cibola High School. Dante served 20 + years in the US Navy, retired as a Chief Petty Officer and to this day still works in a civilian capacity for the Navy.

My two nephews, Matthew Barnes and Brandon Barnes, the sons of my younger sister, Pauline and my brother in law Marvin, who is a retired APD Police officer, were born and raised in Albuquerque and went to Bosque Prep. Both Mathew and Brandon are Majors in the United States Marine Corps and both are climbing the promotion ladder in the Marine Corps. My nephew Major Brandon Barnes is a graduate of the US Naval Academy. My nephew Major Matthew Barnes graduated from UNM with honors and served a tour in Afghanistan.

To all the wonderful and courageous men and women who have served and continue to serve our country to protect and secure the promise of freedom and the ideals upon which the United States was founded upon, and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, I thank you for your service to our Country.

Your service and sacrifices will never be forgotten. God bless you all and God Bless the United States and all of our freedoms you fought for to protect this great democracy.

On the November 2 municipal ballot, the 5 odd numbered city council district were on the ballot, District 1,3,5,7, and 9. Prior to the November 2 municipal elections, makeup of the Albuquerque City Council was 6 Democrats to 3 Republicans.

The 6 Democrats currently on the city council are:

District 1 Lan Sena
District 2 Isaac Benton
District 3 Klarissa Peña
District 5 Cynthia Borrego
District 6 Pat Davis
District 7 Diane Gibson

The three Republicans currently on the city council are:

District 4 Brook Bassan
District 8 Trudy Jones
District 9 Don Harris

As it stands now after the November 2 election, there are 4 Democrats on the new city council:

District 1 Louis Sanchez (Elected on November 2 defeating Lan Sena.)
District 2 Isaac Benton
District 3 Klarissa Peña (Unopposed on November 2 and elected to another term.)
District 6 Pat Davis

The 3 Republicans on the new city council on January 1, 2022 are:

District 5 Dan Lewis (Newly elected)
District 4 Brook Bassan
District 8 Trudy Jones

THE NOVEMBER 2 SHAKUP

The November 2 city council election saw a shakeup of the city council with 2 Democrat incumbents losing their council seats. In District 1 a progressive democrat was replaced by a moderate Democrat. In District 5 a moderate Democrat was replaced by a highly conservative Republic who ran for Mayor 4 years ago and lost to Tim Keller.

DISTRICT 1

In City Council District 1, Albuquerque’s Central Westside, Democrat City Councilor Lan Sena, 31, lost to Democrat and former APD police officer Louie Sanchez, (56), who now operates 2 Allstate Insurance companies. Sanchez when with APD was assigned to Mayor Marty Chaves’ security detail. Confidential sources have said that Chavez refused to support Loui Sanchez and in fact contacted Sanchez and asked him to drop out of the race and allow Lan Sena to run unopposed.

City Councilor Lan Sena is progressive democrat and community activist appointed by Mayor Tim Keller to the City Council when long serving City Councilor Ken Sanchez passed away on January 1. Councilor Sena is considered a reliable progressive vote for Keller’s initiatives. The Planned Parenthood measured finance committee sent out flyers jointly promoting Keller and Sena.

DISTRICT 5

In City Council District 5, Incumbent Democrat City Councilor and President of the City Council Cynthia Borrego, 64, lost her bid for a second 4-year term to former Republican City Councilor Dan Lewis. Borrego was a reliable Democrat vote for Mayor Keller on the City Council. Dan Lewis won his former city council seat back with 52% of the vote to Borrego’s 40% of the vote with Phillip Ramirez, 43, securing 9% of the vote. Conservative Republican Dan Lewis will now have his old platform on city council and will no doubt take an adversarial approach dealing with Keller on the city council and perhaps run for Mayor again in 2025.

DISTRICT 7

District 7 includes part of the Mid heights and Northeast Heights, covering an area west of Eubank roughly between Lomas and Montgomery with the New Mexico State Fair Grounds, Coronado Shopping Center, Uptown and the Winrock Shopping re development area.

In the District 7 mid-heights City Council District race, 6 candidates ran to succeed Democrat Diane Gibson, who announced in April that she would not seek a third term. Diane Gibson was known to support Manny Gonzales over Tim Keller for re-election after Keller repeatedly ignored and snubbed Gibson.

The total vote cast on November 2 in District 7 was 13,348. There were 5 Democrats and 1 Republican seeking to replace retiring progressive Democrat Diane Gibson. Real estate agent and conservative Republican Lori Robertson, 48, came in first securing 4,285 or 32% of the vote. Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn, who was endorsed by Diane Gibson, came in second securing 3,268 votes or 24.5% of the vote. A runoff will now be held on December 7 between Robertson and Fiebelkorn.

The 4 other democrats split the progressive Democrat vote as follows:

Emillie De Angelis came in third and secured 1, 961 or 14.7% of the vote.

Progressive Travis Kellerman came in 4th and secured 1,913 or 14.3% of the vote. Editor’s note: Kellerman was endorsed by former Mayor Marty Chavez. In 2013, Chavez endorsed in a robo call he paid for himself Diane Gibson. In the 2021 Mayor’s race, Gibson supported Manny Gonzales while Chavez endorsed Tim Keller.

Progressive Democrat LGBTQ activist leader and civil rights attorney Mauro Walden Montoya finishing 5th securing 1,210 votes or 9% of the vote.
Progressive Democrat activist Andres Valdes came in 6th securing 711 votes or 5.3% of the vote.

DISTRICT 9

District 9 encompasses the city’s most southeastern reaches, straddling the East Central Avenue east of Eubank and includes the 4 Hills Country Club area.

In District 9, there were 3 candidates were trying to succeed long time serving, ineffective, uninspiring, unknown Don Harris, a Republican who decided not to seek a 5th term after serving since 2005. A runoff will now be between conservative Republican candidate, Renee Grout, 60, who received 5,467 votes or 42% of the vote, and Democratic candidates, Rob Grilley Jr., 37, received 3,648 votes or 30% of the vote. Democrat Byron Powdrell, 54, received 3,481 votes or 28% of the vote and received the Journal endorsement. Powdrell is part of the well-known Powdrell family known for their bar-b-que restaurants.

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Albuquerque,_New_Mexico_(2021)

MEASURED FINANCE COMMITTEES

Under the City of Albuquerque’s campaign finance laws, a Measure Finance Committee is a political action committee (PAC), person or group that supports or opposes a candidate or ballot measure within the City of Albuquerque. Measure Finance Committees are required to register with the City Clerk. Measure finance committees are not bound by the individual contribution limits and business bans like candidates. No Measure Finance Committee is supposed to coordinate their activities with the individual candidates running for office, but this is a very gray area as to what constitutes coordination of activities and it is difficult to enforce.

The fact that measure finance committees are not bound by the individual contribution limits and business bans like candidates is what makes them a major threat to warping and influencing our municipal elections and the outcome. Any Measure Finance Committee can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money and can produce negative ads to destroy any candidate’s reputation and candidacy.

Republican Dan Lewis qualified for public finance and was given $50,489, Republican Renee Grout qualified for public finance and was given $41,791 in public finance, Democrat Louie Sanchez qualified and was given $41,027 in public finance and Democrat Rob Grilly qualified for public financing and was given $41,000.

Despite candidates qualifying for public finance, there were 2 major measured finance committees (MFC) that were formed to promote city council candidates opposing incumbent Democrat City Councilors Lan Sena and Cynthia Borrego who both lost on November 2. The two measured finance committees are Albuquerque Ahead and Healthy Economies Lead to Progress.

Albuquerque Ahead raised $34,900 and Healthy Economies Lead to Progress raised $196,532 for a total of $231,432. The cash contributions were spent to promote 3 conservative Republican candidates, Dan Lewis, Renee Grout and Lori Lee Robertson, and one 1 moderate Democrat, Louis Sanchez. The 2 finance committees were successful in ousting Democrat City Councilors Lan Sean and Cynthia Borrego.

Review of the campaign finance reports for both MFCs and the major donors is in order and reveals the following:

ALBUQUERQUE AHEAD (City Council MFC)

DESIGNATED PURPOSE: “To support those candidates for city council who will move Albuquerque ahead and oppose those who will not.”

This measured finance committee was established by the Bernalillo County Republican Party to promote the 2 Republican candidates Dan Lewis and Renee Grout.

The 5th campaign finance report filed by Albuquerque Ahead reflects that on July 7, 2021, the Bernalillo County Republican Party donated $9,000 to this MFC. The one major expenditure of $5,184.00 is to Majority Strategies, a Republican leaning political consulting firm. Albuquerque Ahead raised $10,250 during the 5th the reporting period designated to support Dan Lewis and Renee Grout, including $2,000 from Arizona-based GDC and from James Baird and Karen Espinosa, each donating $1,000.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

The 7th Campaign finance reports reflects the largest cash balances for donations and expenditures for Albuquerque Ahead for the reporting period of September 7 to October 4th with a cash balance of $14,223.47, total monetary contribution for reporting period of $10,520, total expenditures for the reporting period of $17,152 and a closing balance of $7,591.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

The 9 th Campaign finance report for Albuquerque Ahead filed on October 25 covering the time frame of October 16 to October 22 reflects cash donations of $3,630.00, expenditures of $8,360.28 and a closing balance of $2,630.95. All donations ranges from $50 to $250

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

The 10th Campaign finance report for Albuquerque Ahead filed on November 1 covering the time frame of October 23 to October 29, reflects a closing balance of $2,022 and that LARRY RAINOSEK the owner of Frontier Restaurant donated $5,000 to promote Republican Dan Lewis and another $5,000 to promote Republican Renee Grout, with both being successful on November 2.

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

A REPUBLCAN CITY COUNCILLOR STICKING HER NOSE INTO THE RACES FOR PERSONAL GAIN

The “Run Off” Campaign finance statement filed on November 8 for Albuquerque Ahead reflects a closing cash balance of $2,022. The runoff campaign statement also reflects that Republican District 8 Albuquerque City Councilor Trudy Jones made a $500 donation. Informed sources have said Councilor Trudy Jones wants a Republican Majority on the City Council so that she can be elected President of the City Council. As a former Real Estate Agent, it’s expected Jones will endorse fellow realtor Republican Lori Lee Robertson in District 7.

HEALTHY ECONOMIES LEAD TO PROGRESS
DESIGNATED PURPOSE: Independent Expenditure

The Chairperson is identified as SIMON (SCOOTER) T. HAYNES and the Treasurer is identified as JULIA L MACCINI. Both Simon T. “Scooter” Haynes and Julia Maccini are conservative Republicans who ran and lost in June, 2021 for the Board of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD). Haynes is a developer who owns a real estate and construction business based in Albuquerque. Julia L Maccini is believed to be an attorney and believed to be the Development Coordinator at SCM Partners, LLC a limited liability corporation.

The purpose of the donations made, depending on donor designation, were to support the following City Council candidates:

In District 1 Louie Sanchez who defeated incumbent Democrat City Councilor Lan Sena.

District 5 candidate Republican Dan Lewis who defeated Democrat incumbent City Councilor Cynthia Borrego.

District 7 Republican candidate Lori Lee Robertson who made into the runoff and is running against Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn.

District 9 Republican candidate Renee Grout who made it into the run off and is now running against Democrat Rob Grilley Jr.

7TH FINANCE REPORT

According to the 7th Campaign finance report, Healthy Economies Lead to Progress had total monetary contribution for the reporting period of $49,639.22. The major donors and amounts reported are:

NEW MEXICO RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION (Carol Wight): $20,000
COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS NM: $18,639.22
JOHNSON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE, LLC: $4,000
ABRAZO HOMES, LLC: $2,500
JEAN F BERNSTEIN: $1,000
DAVE HILL INC: $1,000
BRUCE J STIDWORTHY: $1,000
WILLIAM T ROBERTSON: $1,000

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

8TH FINANCE REPORT

According to the 8th Campaign Finance Report filed by Healthy Economies Lead to Progress on October 18 for the time period of October 5 to October 15, the measured finance committee raised $25,606 in cash and spent $73,865.16. The major donors are:

COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS NM: $10,000
PREMIER DISTRIBUTING COMPANY: $5,000
STEVE MAESTAS: $5,000 ( two $2,500 donations)
ANGELA WILLIAMSON: $2,000
TITAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC: $1,000
MICHAEL LEACH: $1,000

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

9TH FINANCE REPORT

According to the 9th Campaign Finance Report filed by Healthy Economies Lead to Progress on October 25 for the time period of October 16 to October 2, the measured finance committee reported raising $91,700.00, and spent $34,714.76 leaving a closing balance of $58,365.30. Major doners include:

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS FUND: $64,000
NEW MEXICO RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION: $10,000
PETROYATES, INC.: $10,000
ABC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE: $5,000.00

https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx

10TH FINANCE REPORT

According to the 10th Campaign Finance Report filed by Healthy Economies Lead to Progress on November 1 for the time period of October 23 to October 29 the measured finance committee raised $29,587.00 and has an ending balance of $87,864.62 that can be used for the two city council runoffs. Major doners include:

REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE: $20,000.00
NEW MEXICO NAIOP PAC: $1,500
SHERMAN MCCORKLE: $1,000 EDITORS NOTE: McCorkle has been a Republican political operative and insider for many decades.

RUNOFF STATEMENT

On November 8, Healthy Economies Lead to Progress filed its Runoff Finance statement for the time period of October 30 to November 5 reporting no contributions and reporting it has a closing balance of $87,864.62 for the reporting period it can use for the city council runoff election.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

The city council run off is scheduled for December 7. The postscript to this blog gives further details.

Republicans could secure a majority of 5-4 on the city council, but it will require winning the 2 remaining city council races in the runoff. A Republican takeover of the city council is very doable with aggressive campaign spending coupled with a low voter turnout in a runoff with both expected.

DISTRICT 7 (MID HEIGHTS)

The 4 city candidates in District 7 who did not make the run off are all decisively Democrat progressives. Their presence on the ballot significantly increased voter turnout that helped Tim Keller get elected to a second term. The problem is that run offs always have significantly less of a voter turnout. Democrats lose races in the city when they simply do not vote, while Republicans make voting a priority. The 2013 municipal election stands as a testament to that fact when only 19% of all registered voters voted with a heavy Republican turnout and an extremely low Democrat turnout resulting in the election of Republican conservative Mayor Richard Berry to a second 4-year term.

The December 7 ballot will only consist of the names of Lori Robertson and Tammy Fiebelkorn without delineating party affiliation because it is officially a nonpartisan race. District 7 has elected Republicans in the past, even when the area was District 5 before council districts were realigned and it became District 7 eliminating democrat precincts on the west boundary and pushing boundaries east making it more Republican.

In order for Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn to prevail, she will have to more than double her 24.5% vote she received while Republican Robertson needs to increase her original vote of 32% by 18%. Fiebelkorn needs the support of the Democrats in the race and has already received the endorsement of Democrat Mauro Walden Montoya but such endorsements do not mean much especially when people do not vote.

Republican Robertson is a privately financed campaign and she spent $72,687 for the Nov. 2 regular election. Expect Republican Lori Robertson, a successful realtor, to raise a huge amount of campaign donations from the real estate and development communities.

https://www.abqjournal.com/2442911/candidates-vie-for-four-competitive-city-council-races.html

DISTRICT 9 (FAR NE HEIGHTS, EAST CENTRAL AREA AND 4 HILLS AREA)

Confidential sources have confirmed that the APD Police Union have met with Republican Renee Grout and will be endorsing Grout so she can run on a law-and-order platform. With the city’s homicides reaching 101 homicides and breaking the all-time record, the endorsement and help could make a difference. In exchange for its endorsement, the union will expect Grout to support union initiatives and oppose Mayor Tim Keller’s progressive agenda and “make Keller miserable” as one union official put it. It is more likely than not that the police union will also endorse Republican Lori Robertson in District 7 “to make Keller miserable”.

The District 9 runoff is between conservative Republican candidate, Renee Grout, 60, and progressive Democratic candidate, Rob Grilley Jr., 37. Democrat Grilley could become the first Democrat to win in the district after many years of Republican control if he can get the support of Powdrell and his voters but only if Grilley’s and Powdrell’s supporters get out and vote in the same numbers as the November 2 election. As is the case with city council District 7 runoff, the December 7 ballot will only consist of the names of the candidates without delineating party affiliation because it is officially a nonpartisan race.

Democrat Rob Grilly qualified for public financing and was given $41,000 for the November 2 election. Grilly has announced he will not accept $14,000 in public financing available for the runoff and will seek private financing for the runoff, which means there is no cap on what he can raise and spend in the runoff. In explaining his decision to go with private financing, Grilly said he believes far right Republicans will be raising substantial contributions to elect Renee Grout. Expect Grilly to seek the support of Mayor Tim Keller to help him raise campaign finances and campaign for him.

Conservative Republican Renee Grout also accepted public financing of $41,000 for the November 2 election. However, the measured fiancé committee Albuquerque Ahead was formed by the Bernalillo County Republican Party and upwards of $50,000 in political contributions were raise and spent to promote Renee Grout and Dan Lewis. Grout has yet to announce if she will seek private finance, but may not need it given the Republican party’s desire to again have a majority on the City Council as they did under Republican Mayor Richard Berry. A low voter turn out will harm Democrats to the benefit of the Republicans.

CONCLUSION

After the December 7 runoff election, progressive Democrat Mayor Tim Keller may be dealing with a more conservative 5 – 4 Republican City Council majority. Even if Democrats retain a majority on the city council, Mayor Keller will still be dealing with a more conservative city council come January 1, 2022. Moderate Democrats Klarissa Pena and Louis Sanchez could form a coalition with Republican conservatives Dan Lewis, Brook Bassan and Trudy Jones to hold a majority and dramatically diminishing the influence of progressive Democrats Pat Davis and Isaac Benton.

To complicate matters for Keller, Dan Lewis is returning to the city council and no matter if the council retains a Democrat majority it will be far more hostile to Keller than in 2017 when Lewis lost to Keller in a landslide.

As the saying goes, “ An elephant never forgets.” That is especially true when it comes to revenge and conducting well financed smear campaigns against Democrats.

—————–

“The Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office is administering the election and will offer early in-person voting starting Nov. 16 at eight sites. It will continue through Dec. 4, though will not be available Nov. 21 or Nov. 25-28. There will be 16 voting locations from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters wanting absentee ballots must request an application, which is available online or by calling 505-243-8683. The application deadline is Dec. 2. For more information, including in-person voting sites or an absentee ballot application, go online to berncovotes.org.”

Quoted Source:

https://www.abqjournal.com/2444698/two-city-council-seats-in-play-during-runoff-election.html

As of November 7, the city has had its 101 homicides, an all-time record for a year and with 7 weeks remaining in 2021. The city is now just shy of a rate of 18 per 100,000. In 1996, the city had the lowest per capita rate of homicides at 16.6 per 100,000, but it was the city’s growing population that kept Albuquerque below its highest homicide rate in 1996 when there were 100,000 fewer residents.

Of the 101 cases, a staggering 98 are being investigated by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). APD’s homicide unit has 11 detectives and one sergeant. Three of the cases, including a double homicide, is being investigated by New Mexico State Police. There has been an arrest or charges filed in 30 of the cases, which translates into a 29% clearance rate.

https://www.abqjournal.com/2444220/families-grieve-as-abq-tallies-100th-homicide.html

MEDINA’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PUBLIC

On Monday, November 8, APD Chief Harold Medina held a remarkable press conference to discuss the 101 homicides for the year. Medina said APD is undertaking many initiatives and programs to bring down homicides but many of the initiatives take time. According to Medina, APD is seeing high numbers of homicides related to parties, motels and road rage. Medina’s advice to the public to help stop the spike in homicides was simplistic:

1. He urged members of the public to take steps to protect themselves by not posting on social media if they’re having a party so uninvited guests don’t show up and start fights.

3. Not to frequent certain motels in the middle of the night to buy or sell drugs.

The link to reported source material is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/2444440/apd-chief-responds-to-100-homicides-in-the-city.html

MEDINA IN HIS OWN WORDS

APD Chief Harold Medina had this to say on November 8:

“We’re at one of those points where we have to be honest, and truthful in our assessment of situations. … We have to give the community the information that we know, so that they know, to make the best educated choices. I don’t want citizens in the city of Albuquerque to live in fear. I want them to live their lives and I want them to know what’s truly occurring, and what the trends are we’re seeing. So it’s not about blaming victims; it’s about educating the rest of the community.”
…

It’s peaks and valleys, there’s times that, you know, things are going in a really good direction for us you feel good. … And then there’s times that, you know, you’re waking up early to see if that alert is out there that we had a homicide from the previous night. … We’re going through one of those valleys right now, and hopefully we can get up on a peak and then we could look down and see that things are getting better. But right now … we’re in a canyon, and it’s really dark.”

During the November 9 press conference, Medina said APD has been working with motels owners to come up with a comprehensive plan to bring in new technology such as license plate readers to identify stolen vehicles. Medina said:

“[Motel and business owners must take] some ownership for their property and what’s going on there, and they need to safeguard the community and work with us. … It’s just unfortunate that there’s always a lag time between we start seeing results of who we’re working with somebody … it’s not like the next day they’re going to have the funding [to get new security and video technology up and running.]

We’ve seen some of the video of how, you know, literally we have a standoff at doorways and individuals pointing firearms at each other … And that’s one of the biggest trends we’re seeing is just the sense of individuals going and they feel they have this entitlement to enter any home they want. It’s a lack of respect for all the other people in the community.”

In the fall of 2019, the Albuquerque City Council allocated $280,000 to APD to pay “overtime” for “party intervention team” to combat nighttime underage drinking, drug use and party violence. When the pandemic hit in 2020, underage parties declined dramatically. Medina now claims because pandemic restrictions are subsiding, parties and associated violence are surging again but the parties involved older people and not underage drinking and drug use.

“If this continues, then we’ll devote the resources to it at a sooner time. We’ll just see how it pans out. I mean, many times we’ve seen this; we have a rash.”

The link to quoted source material is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/2444440/apd-chief-responds-to-100-homicides-in-the-city.html

https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/another-violent-weekend-apd-gives-update-on-crime/

https://www.koat.com/article/abq-homicide-99-motel-6/38188113

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

Now that Mayor Tim Keller has won a second four-year term, APD Chief Harold Medina ostensibly feels he is very secured to have a job for 4 more years. He now feels safe to hold press conferences with subordinates on his own. The appointment of Harold Medina as permanent Chief by Mayor Tim Keller was so very wrong on so many levels, and that fact did not change after Keller was elected to another 4 years.

In 2017, Medina returned to APD after he retired. During the last 4 years, Medina has been a Deputy Chief of Field Services, then First Assistant Chief and now Chief all during Keller’s term in office. All 4 of the programs announced by Keller to combat violent crime have been around now for almost a full 3 years and they have failed to bring violent crime and murders down. Medina has worked on all 4 programs and also is working on implementing the DOJ reforms. Implementation of the DOJ reforms has now stalled with Medina blaming the consent decree for his departments inability to fight crime.

APD Chief Harold Medina has always represented the total opposite of what the city needs in a police chief. It is very critical to have a police chief with experience with reducing use of force, not one who has used deadly force. A chief who has knowledge of crisis management, not one who causes a crisis. A Chief who understands the importance of protecting civil rights, not one who has violated civil rights, and a Chief able to tackle the issue of a police department interacting with the mentally ill, not one who has been involved with the killing of two mentally ill people, one a 14 year old having a psychotic episode and the other a 26 year old veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Medina has once again shown he possesses none of the desired traits the city needs now. .

We now have a police Chief who tells the public do not post a party on FACEBOOK, do not honk at people that may result in road rage, and do not to buy or sell your drugs at motels in the middle of the night. Exactly what the hell was Medina thinking and what was Medina saying when he said:

“I mean, many times we’ve seen this; we have a rash.”

APD Chief Medina’s “rash” of homicides is more like a terminal crime cancer that Medina has been unable to deal with for the past 4 years working for Mayor Tim Keller.

Simply put, APD Chief Harold Medina’s November 8 press conference, what he said and his recommendations to the public are an embarrassment not only to himself but the department he heads and to Mayor Tim Keller. His comments are a reflection of a person way over his head and of failed leadership.