Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis has qualified for the 2025 ballot and public financing through the city’s Clean Elections program, doing so in just 10 days.
As the 2025 City Council election begins, Lewis’s campaign said he is the first to qualify.
He’s seeking his fourth term in District 5 and quickly met the 500 petition signatures and 446 $5 contributions required, giving his campaign an early boost and showing strong West Side support.
“I want to thank the voters of District 5 for the overwhelming support,” said Lewis. “I go to the door of every voter in our district, listen to their concerns and get things done for the West Side.”
The city’s Clean Elections program provides public financing to candidates who build grassroots backing. It aims to limit big-money influence and give everyday voters a bigger say in choosing their leaders.
According to Lewis, his platform focuses on public safety, infrastructure and common-sense policies that benefit the whole city.
“We’re building the infrastructure and providing the services West Side families deserve,” he said.
According to Lewis, he recently gained the endorsements from the Albuquerque Firefighters, IAFF Local 244 and the Albuquerque Police Officers Association.
“These brave men and women are the backbone of public safety, risking their lives every day to protect our families,” Lewis said. “I will always stand with them and make sure they have the resources, equipment and leadership they need. They deserve to be the best-paid public servants in the nation and leaders at City Hall who have their backs.”
Lewis said infrastructure has been a key focus of his work, pointing to the upcoming Unser and Paseo del Norte widening project as a major milestone. He called it a $65 million investment, though the city lists it at $62 million. Either way, it’s the largest road project Albuquerque has ever taken on, with construction expected to start later this year.
He also praised the start of construction on the Northwest Multi-Generation Center, a $14 million facility set to open in August 2025. The center will serve as a hub for senior and family services on the West Side.
Lewis said he takes a proactive approach to homelessness in District 5 by acting quickly when encampments appear.
“You don’t see homeless encampments in Northwest Albuquerque because we take action,” he said. “I work directly with our Area Command, Albuquerque Community Safety and Solid Waste crews to clear them out right away.”
He said the city offers help to those in need but won’t tolerate lawlessness. “With compassion and accountability, we can care for the homeless while protecting safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods.”
Lewis’s only registered opponent in District 5 is Athenea Allen, the wife of Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen. She previously worked as an investigator for government contractors and now serves as a supervisory site lead for General Dynamics Information Technology at Kirtland Air Force Base, supporting the Air Force Research Lab.
As of June 13, Allen, who is not seeking public financing, has 268 of the required 500 signatures needed to qualify.
City council candidates have until July 7 to collect signatures.