Financial Noose Tightens On Keller Foes; Uballez Fails To Qualify For Public Financing; Others Also Struggle; Complain That Process Is Too Tough; Mayor Says They're "Blaming the Ref"

Keller and Uballez

The financial noose is tightening on the ABQ mayoral challengers, giving Mayor Tim Keller more breathing room as he seeks an unprecedented third consecutive term. 

The hopefuls seeking to qualify for $756,000 in public financing for the November 3 election are falling fast and it is now possible that Keller will be the only one awarded that ample pot of money and dramatically change the course of this election. 

Former US Attorney Alex Uballez is the latest to throw in the proverbial towel, complaining that the requirement that candidates collect 3,780 in $5 donations from registered city voters is unfair:

The people of Albuquerque deserve a better choice than candidates who can buy their way onto the ballot or use entrenched political power to get there. I still believe in public financing. I think how it’s currently structured, and maybe the goals you have to attain, reward those with political connections and close the door on political newcomers like myself.

Three lower tier candidates previously gave up their public money race and also do not appear positioned to collect the petition signatures also necessary to make the ballot.  

Uballez says he has now submitted the required 3,000 petition signatures to qualify for the ballot.  

The Uballez failure is particularly important because he has been carrying the banner for progressives dissatisfied with Keller and who have long been a vital part of the mayor's political base.  

Conservative Democratic Councilor Louie Sanchez, also struggling, says he is about to drop his public financing effort. Republican Darren White is hanging by a thread when it comes to qualifying.

NOT FOR AMATEURS

Becoming eligible for the public cash is not for amateurs and Keller--for the third time--is putting together the organization to get the job done. After Uballez's blast over the process and the decision of the others to give up, he accused the complainers of crying in their beer:

Complaining that public financing doesn’t work is like blaming the ref because you can’t hit your free throws — it’s not the system’s fault you’re falling short. The real issue isn’t the rules; it’s a lack of grassroots support, campaign credibility, and the organizational strength to lead.

The rub for those now choosing to pursue private donations is getting anywhere near the $756K that Keller is on his way to pocketing. 

There is still the possibility that outside PACs--known by the city as Measure Finance Committees--could form to support the Keller opponents. They have no spending limits. 

One of those committees has already formed for Keller. When what it collects is included in the spending for his candidacy, he could reach over $1 million. 

Those outside committees are prohibited from coordinating with the campaigns of the candidates they are supporting so their advertising is often not seen as effective as the candidate's.

Will progressive PACs try to rally for Uballez? It will be watched for but his first steps as a political toddler have not been inspiring for those running them.  

ACE IN THE HOLE 

The other possible ace in the hole for the disgruntled non-qualifiers is personal money.

That's where parking lot tycoon Daniel Chavez comes into play. He has already put up $100,000 that aided him in gathering enough petition signatures to make the ballot. He appears to be the only hopeful in the 11 person field with the resources to give Keller a run for his money.

LOWER THE BAR? 

Qualifying for public financing is meant to be difficult but Keller did so even in 2017 when he was not the incumbent. It demands organization, political know-how and roots in the community.

Whether it needs to be made easier is for the electorate to decide but they've rejected reforms to lower the bar. 

Should it be easier?

Look at the total contributions to the candidates failing to qualify. Most could not even meet the needed threshold if it were cut in half. Uballez collected only 21 percent of the requirement before calling it a day.

This is not charity. It's public money that has to be earned or taxpayers would be on the hook to fund half-serious candidates on ego trips to the tune of millions of dollars. 

THE REAL ISSUE 

The issue isn't the public financing--as much as Keller foes would like it to be. The issue is why voters are not rushing to Keller's opponents to help take him out. 

The incumbent's polling numbers show voter fatigue and Uballez and company are bellowing that the city is in a state of chaos amid out of control crime and homelessness. Yet, they can't excite the folks listening from the bleacher seats to reach into their wallets for a five-spot.

So the initial foray into Keller territory has been met with stiff resistance. The challenging candidates will have another go of it in public forums, campaign ads, fund-raising and social media. For now the message from voters is clear. They want better ideas and better campaigns.

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