Gonzales and Keller

Mayor Keller dismissed his opponents as "soundbite" candidates, Eddy Aragon moved swiftly to consolidate Republican Trump supporters behind his candidacy and Sheriff Manny Gonzales crafted a middle of the road message as he worked to broaden support. 

So it went at the first forum of the 2021 ABQ mayoral contest last night, the first of what will be many as the state's largest city prepares to elect a mayor November 2. 

The full debate is here.

The Near North Valley Neighborhood Association forum did not provide for direct engagement but the candidates did provide contrasts as they answered a variety of questions about the future of the city. 

As expected, Republican radio talk show host Eddy Aragon came with the most controversial comments as he worked the Trump angle. They included his "my body my choice" platform when it comes to taking the Covid vaccine which he has not. He said:

Aragon also argued for "longer detainment" of arrested drivers who are found to have THC in their bloodstream.

As we said, he drove hard to the right last night to let conservatives know he is out and about.

BernCo Sheriff Gonzales, a Democrat making an appeal to conservatives, tried to hang on with a reference to Trump supporting his battle against crime by having the feds work with him.

Keller, seeking a second four year term, did not promise to reduce the record setting homicide rate or other crime but said he has put in place building blocks for improved crime fighting, including the new homeless shelter, increased investment in technology and working with MLG and other elected officials. "No one can do it alone," he said. 

And he trotted out the "sound bite" and "talking points" zingers several times to try to keep Gonzales and poltical newcomer Aragon in their places. 

Gonzales may yet hone a finely tuned crime fighting policy but it wasn't on display at the first forum. Rather, he touted what he said was his outsized success as sheriff and said he would bring the same vision to APD. Keller retorted that the numbers show "crime in the county is as bad as the city."

Eddy Aragon

Aragon was armed with a crime fighting agenda that included ending APD overtime. He said 160 officers are being paid over $100,000 a year and "that's crazy." He also said he would improve the morale of APD, work with the Feds to reduce the influence of the drug cartels and adopt a no settlement policy when it comes to lawsuits against APD.

Keller said the elimination of overtime would "descend the city into chaos" as APD is already short staffed. He pointed out he added more officers during his first term but noted the many retirements that have prevented him from meeting his hiring goal.

On the controversial soccer stadium Aragon was dead set against it, calling the $50 million bond that city voters will decide at the election a waste. He predicted the bond will be defeated by taxpayers.

Keller, who supports the stadium, said he is not wedded to a downtown location and will keep an open mind. Gonzales said if the bond is approved he would do an evaluation as to where the stadium should go. 

Aragon helped himself the most because he had the easiest task--pick up hardcore conservatives. But getting beyond that group will be a challenge. 

Keller's soft tone approach on crime keeps his progressive base in line but exposes a potential weakness with other voters. 

As sheriff, Gonzales, Keller's main rival, has instant credibility on crime but he has not put together the robust messaging or the passion that would start a drift his way. He will need that as well as tough TV ads to threaten Keller. 

Keeping it on the crime beat, reader Brandon Cummings comments on the Monday crime blog. He didn't care for our our reference to an ABQ "drug and thug" culture: 

Thanks Brandon. Your comment raises the question of why we have such a "thug" bar in what is supposed to be one of the premier shopping districts in the state. The answer? That's part of the “drug and thug” culture that has taken over much of the city. That may sound simplistic but it is simple truth. The murder rate and the amount of drugs here confirms that.

And on the topic of a "generational problem," our Legal Beagles gave us heads up on the criminal record of Juan Saucedo, Sr., father of Juan Saucedo Jr., who is charged with murdering a fellow 13 year old student at Washington Middle School last week. The Beagle barking is confirmed:

Reader Loyola Chastain writes of the proposed merger of electric utility PNM with Avangrid and its parent company, Iberdrola:

The PRC wraps up its week long public hearings on the merger today. The panel's decision on whether to approve or disapprove the proposal is expected in mid or late September. 

E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com)