Mayor· 2017-12-01 to 2030-01 (first took office December 1, 2017 per Wikipedia infobox; third term sworn in January 4, 2026 per cabq.gov; month-level end: January 2030, four-year term)
Tim Keller
Albuquerque
About
Tim Keller's campaign and mayoral platform focused on addressing complex social issues such as homelessness with approaches other than mass incarceration, while running against law-and-order challengers to secure a historic third term.
Campaign promises (1)
- public-safetyHe stated that arrests were not the solution to homelessness in Albuquerque.
Want every word Keller has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Keller said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Raising development appeal fees (O-26-60)
Appealing an approved project now costs residents or neighborhood groups $925; builders say every appeal delay can add ~$4,500 to a home's cost.
City Attorney Oversight and Legal Department Accountability
The related investigation and disputes have already cost the city thousands of dollars in legal fees, per Councilor Baca.
Uptown Connect transit-oriented affordable housing
Uses Workforce Housing Trust Funds and state capital outlay to leverage a federal RAISE grant.
Sichler Farms LEDA economic development subsidy
$100,000 city appropriation, recoverable via clawback if the business closes within the contract term.
Sichler Farms LEDA economic development project
$100,000 city appropriation, recoverable via clawback if the business closes within the contract term.
Transit safety plan update
Contracted security at the ATC costs more than the prior Metro Security arrangement.
Downtown food truck parking permit
New permit fees would bring in a small amount of city revenue, and downtown businesses could see changed foot traffic.
Dreamcatcher Sawmill Hotel IRB and neighborhood protections
Provided tax abatements over 20 years for hotel construction projects valued at over $25 million and $40 million.
Charter Review Task Force creation
Homelessness enforcement and winter shelter
Roughly $1 million spent on sweeps since 2021 and $7 million on a recent state operation, money speakers said could fund housing vouchers instead.
Integrated Development Ordinance update process change
Opioid settlement funds for Gateway treatment connections
About $2 million of opioid settlement dollars will fund treatment connections, out of a projected $7.9 million in settlements over three years.
South Campus TIDD bond issuance
Up to $160,000 in short-term debt backed by gross receipts tax increment generated inside the South Campus TIDD.
Better Neighborhoods Package — zoning appeals reform
O-26-60 would raise appeal filing fees from $190-$265 to $1,000 (approved projects) or $300 (denials), though it was deferred before adoption.
Lofts at Albuquerque High Courtyard Access
Digital billboard permit denials upheld
Lindmark cannot proceed with the five digital billboard conversions without removing equivalent advertising area.
Yale Blvd overnight shelter appeal
Taxpayers could get stuck with legal, permitting, and delay costs while the city sorts out whether the shelter can open or must be scrapped.
98th Street and Molamosa traffic safety
A new signal could cost roughly $10 million based on the comparable Gibson project.
African American Advisory Board (O-26-11)
The direct cost to taxpayers looks limited—mainly city staff time and meeting administration—rather than a big new program, based on the source provided.
Council Rules of Procedure amendment
None stated; procedural change.
Decisions during term (435)
Recorded while Keller was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.