Correction, Dec. 22, 2025: An earlier version of this story contained significant errors in district-level turnout figures. The story incorrectly stated that District 3 cast 13,908 ballots and had the highest turnout, and that District 7 had the lowest turnout. District 3 precincts actually cast 7,075 total ballots, the lowest of any council district. District […]
Category: Elections & Politics
Outside groups dump over $100K into runoff elections, and still have lots more to spend
Political Action Committees (PACs) spent more than $132,000 during the three-week runoff election sprint to influence Albuquerque’s three runoff races as early voting kicked off this week, with the mayor’s race drawing most of the outside money just days before voters decide the Dec. 9 contests. The mayoral race drew more than $101,000 in PAC […]
Outside groups spent over $1 million to influence ABQ’s elections in 2025
In the months before a federal judge struck down part of the city’s election transparency laws last week, outside groups had already spent more than one million dollars to influence Albuquerque elections in 2025. A City Desk analysis of city campaign finance data shows that Albuquerque’s 2025 local elections were among the most expensive in […]
Outside groups waste no time raising big bucks for city runoff elections
Business groups, labor unions and a handful of individual donors wasted no time writing more big checks in the first two weeks of the four week city runoff election sprint to Election Day. Campaign finance reports show that outside groups deposited more than $51,000 in new contributions from the day after regular elections ended, Nov. […]
Fiebelkorn, Grout easily win council re-election
City Councilors Tammy Fiebelkorn and Renée Grout won reelection Tuesday, with Fiebelkorn running unopposed in District 7 and Grout defeating challenger Colton Newman in District 9. District 7 In District 7, incumbent Fiebelkorn appears to have easily won reelection with 11,853 votes as of 10:00 PM Tuesday, though write-in votes for challenger Jaemes Shanley had […]
Same-day voter registration boosts turnout for local elections
By Noah Gollin, NM Political Report — Almost 6,000 voters used New Mexico’s same day voting process to participate in local elections statewide on Tuesday. About half of those exercised that option in Bernalillo County where a competitive mayor’s race and contested council and school board races drew higher-than-normal turnout for local elections. Voters who […]
Candidates spend big in final weeks of city elections
With one week left before Albuquerque’s municipal elections, Mayor Tim Keller is spending down his taxpayer-funded warchest as he floods local airwaves with campaign ads and remains ahead of his opponents in last minute spending. An analysis of city campaign finance reports by City Desk found that last Keller shelled out $94,000 for television spots […]
Maestas vows continued fight for accountability in State Auditor reelection bid
New Mexico State Auditor Joseph Maestas officially announced his reelection bid on Tuesday, vowing to continue what he described as a “fight for accountability, transparency, and innovation in New Mexico’s public entities and officials.” Maestas, a Democrat, touted in a campaign press release a first-term record that he described as uncovering millions of dollars of […]
What happens if the mayor’s election goes to a runoff? How much will it cost?
If Burque’s crowded mayoral race goes to a runoff election in December, the city has set aside $750,000 to cover the cost, though county officials warn costs will “significantly exceed” previous elections, potentially requiring City Council approval for additional funding. The Bernalillo County Clerk’s office has not set a final price tag for a possible […]
How and where to vote in the city election in 2025
Every Albuquerque voter has a reason to vote in 2025. The only citywide elected office, mayor, is on the ballot along with five of nine city councilors and a long list of local bond questions for the city, school districts, and some local governments. Other local communities including Los Ranchos and Tijeras also have local […]

