That $756,000 ABQ Mayor Tim Keller qualified for in public financing for the November mayoral race continues to loom large over his six challengers. The latest campaign finance reports show none of them yet flexing the financial muscle needed to make them serious threats, but that could change. (All reports here.)

City Councilor Louie Sanchez, a retired cop in the insurance business, raised eyebrows by loaning himself $150,000 after he tried and failed to qualify for pubic financing. He collected $44,000 in donations and reported cash on hand of $181,000. Does he loan himself more to make a game of it because his private donations aren't keeping pace with what he needs?

Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, the leading Republican hopeful, appears to have the second most cash on hand among Keller's foes. He says he raised $106,000 after the latest report that showed him with $17,000 in cash. His cash on hand is uncertain because he did not release any additional expenditures incurred during the time he raised the $106K. White loaned himself $20,000 in the period covering June 3 through July 7 and received $10,000 from two Louisiana donors. 

Because of GOP money still out there, White appears to have the best shot at raising enough funds to make a noticeable TV buy come the fall, but he has a long way to go to come close to Keller who not only has the $756K in public financing but an outside PAC has formed on his behalf that could bring the total spending on his behalf to $1 million or more. 

That PAC, or Measure Finance Committee as they are know in city clerk parlance, reports $75,000 in cash on hand, much of it from big labor, and raising $101K since its inception.  

Former US attorney Alex Uballez reported $51,000 in cash. His campaign took a major hit by failing to qualify for public financing. Now he must regroup.

Parking lot owner Daniel Chavez loaned himself $100,000 earlier this year and spent most of it to get petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. He did not come with more personal money in the reporting period and reported just $13,000 in cash on hand.

Mayling Armijo reported cash on hand of just $2,800. A PACPAC supporting her has $61,000 in cash on hand. 

Eddie Varela had $1,441 in cash.  

Keller with less than four months to go maintains the pole position but can he win with 50 percent and avoid a run off election with the second place contender? Difficult at best with this many candidates. 

There has been no public polling on Keller in ages. The last Journal survey in November of '22 showed him with an anemic 33 percent approval rating. It can be assumed that with his city hall PR machine operating at full tilt and an apparent drop in overall crime those numbers are better.

No matter what polling Keller sports, his money number is where it needs to be. The city waits to see who can catch up.  

PRAGMATIC DEMOCRAT

ABQ Dem District 9 city council candidate Melani Buchanan Farmer writes of blog coverage of her race against incumbent GOP Councilor Renee Grout:  

I’m a businesswoman, a former public school teacher, and someone who works closely with our veteran community. I don’t fit neatly into any one box. While your piece described me as a “Progressive Democrat,” I’d describe myself as a pragmatic, common-sense Democrat—focused on fairness, opportunity, and solutions that put kids and families first, not special interests or extreme ideologies. I try not to get bogged down by labels—they’re often more divisive than helpful.

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.        

That $756,000 ABQ Mayor Tim Keller qualified for in public financing for the November mayoral race continues to loom large over his six challengers. The latest campaign finance reports show none of them yet flexing the financial muscle needed to make them serious threats, but that could change. (All reports here.)

Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, the leading Republican hopeful, appears to have the most cash on hand among Keller's foes. He says he raised $106,000 after the latest report that showed him with $17,000 in cash. His cash on hand is uncertain because he did not release any additional expenditures incurred during the time he raised the $106K. White loaned himself $20,000 in the period covering June 3 through July 7 and received $10,000 from two Louisiana donors. 

Because of GOP money still out there, White appears to have the best shot at raising enough funds to make a noticeable TV buy come the fall, but he has a long way to go to come close to Keller who not only has the $756K in public financing but an outside PAC has formed on his behalf that could bring the total spending on his behalf to $1 million or more. 

That PAC, or Measure Finance Committee as they are know in city clerk parlance, reports $75,000 in cash on hand, much of it from big labor, and raising $101K since its inception.  

City Councilor Louie Sanchez, a retired cop in the insurance business, raised eyebrows by loaning himself $150,000 after he tried and failed to qualify for pubic financing. He collected $44,000 in donations and reported cash on hand of $183,000. Does he loan himself more to make a game of it because his private donations aren't keeping pace with what he needs?

Former US attorney Alex Uballez reported $51,000 in cash. His campaign took a major hit by failing to qualify for public financing. Now he must regroup.

Parking lot owner Daniel Chavez loaned himself $100,000 earlier this year and spent most of it to get petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. He did not come with more personal money in the reporting period and reported just $13,000 in cash on hand.

Mayling Armijo reported cash on hand of just $2,800. A PACPAC supporting her has $61,000 in cash on hand. 

Eddie Varela had $1,441 in cash.  

Keller with less than four months to go maintains the pole position but can he win with 50 percent and avoid a run off election with the second place contender? Difficult at best with this many candidates. 

There has been no public polling on Keller in ages. The last Journal survey in November of '22 showed him with an anemic 33 percent approval rating. It can be assumed that with his city hall PR machine operating at full tilt and an apparent drop in overall crime those numbers are better.

No matter what polling Keller sports, his money number is where it needs to be. The city waits to see who can catch up.  

PRAGMATIC DEMOCRAT

ABQ Dem District 9 city council candidate Melani Buchanan Farmer writes of blog coverage of her race against incumbent GOP Councilor Renee Grout:  

I’m a businesswoman, a former public school teacher, and someone who works closely with our veteran community. I don’t fit neatly into any one box. While your piece described me as a “Progressive Democrat,” I’d describe myself as a pragmatic, common-sense Democrat—focused on fairness, opportunity, and solutions that put kids and families first, not special interests or extreme ideologies. I try not to get bogged down by labels—they’re often more divisive than helpful.

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.