Mayor Tim Keller defeats law-and-order challenger to secure third term as Albuquerque mayor

By Fox News · Fox News

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has been re-elected to lead New Mexico’s largest city, according to the unofficial results from the Bernalillo County clerk’s office. While officially nonpartisan, Tuesday’s runoff carried a clear ideological split as Keller faced a challenge from his right in former Sheriff Darren White, who cast himself as the law-and-order candidate promising to restore public safety. Keller defended his record on crime and homelessness, ultimately securing a third term to continue leading the blue city through the next four years as it confronts public safety and housing challenges. Keller and White advanced from a 7-candidate field on Election Day on Nov. 5, 2025, when other high-stakes mayoral races were playing out across the United States, from Seattle to New York City . Because neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the mayoral contest advanced to Tuesday's runoff election. ALBUQUERQUE VOTERS TO DECIDE MAYORAL RUNOFF AS LAW-AND-ORDER CHALLENGER TAKES ON INCUMBENT IN BLUE CITY Despite Albuquerque's officially nonpartisan mayoral election, Keller aligns with the Democratic Party while White is a Republican. "Thank you for believing in this campaign, in our city, and in the work ahead. I’m honored to earn your trust for another historic term, and I’m ready to keep delivering progress for every community in our city. Let’s get back to work, together," Keller said Tuesday night after securing a third term. THE RESULTS ARE IN: 2025'S BIGGEST WINNER AND LOSERS FROM THE OFF-YEAR ELECTIONS "While we are disappointed by the final result, we have no regrets. We walk with our heads held high, proud of the movement we built and the issues we helped elevate," White posted on X . Both candidates made public safety and housing central to their campaigns as Albuquerque has struggled with some of the highest violent-crime rates in the region and a homelessness crisis . Keller is a former state senator and auditor who has served as mayor of Albuque…