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Posted inPolitics & Elections

They broke the rules but are still on the ballot: City candidates have few real consequences for ignoring transparency rules

Why did we pick this story? The City of Albuquerque has one of the most robust and detailed campaign finance reporting systems in the country. Every donor, dollar and in-kind help must be disclosed on a regular basis so voters know who funds who and how that money is spent to earn your vote. This […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections

Mayor, council candidates spend big for final votes in final campaign days

With one week left before Albuquerque’s municipal elections, Mayor Tim Keller is spending down his taxpayer-funded war chest 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 Keller shelled out $94,000 for television spots in […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections

Letter to the Editor: The bond APS is proposing and what it would pay for

Letter to the EditorDr. Gabriella Durán Blakey is the superintendant of the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) System. The upcoming Nov. 4 election is crucial for Albuquerque Public Schools as voters will elect four board members and decide on a $350 million general obligation bond for APS. Today I’m going to focus on the bond we’re […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections

Early voting data reveals which Albuquerque voters are showing up — and who’s staying home

Democrats are leading early voting turnout ahead of Albuquerque’s Nov. 4 municipal election, with 7.3% of registered Democrats casting ballots compared with 6.6% of Republicans, according to Bernalillo County Clerk data. As of Oct. 23, 21,456 Burqueño voters have cast early or absentee ballots since voting began Oct. 7. That includes 12,164 Democrats, 6,492 Republicans, […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections

Out-of-state billionaire money floods APS board races

An unprecedented $300,000 from a group established by two out-of-state billionaires is flooding Albuquerque’s school board races — contests where only a small fraction of voters usually decide the outcome. Editor’s note: This story was updated to include comments from all candidates in races where NMKidsCAN PAC money was spent, not just those who reached […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections

Two mayoral candidates were left off the debate stage. Here’s what they had to say

Two Albuquerque mayoral candidates excluded from KOAT’s televised debate are getting their turn to weigh in. With Election Day three weeks away, City Desk ABQ invited Mayling Armijo and Eddie Varela to answer the same questions voters heard on TV, covering issues like crime, homelessness and immigration. Armijo and Varela were left off the Oct. […]