ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s been widely speculated, even among the candidates themselves, that the Albuquerque mayoral race will go to a December runoff. Now, Darren White is saying he will face Tim Keller in that runoff. A former Bernalillo County Sheriff, White, made the rounds with the crowd Tuesday night, hugging and thanking supporters at the Courtyard Marriott near the Journal Center.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Tuesday night, White gave a speech telling voters that if they think Albuquerque is as good as it gets, vote for Keller, but otherwise, “But if you think we can do better, and we can do better, I ask you to join my campaign and bring the change that is needed to Albuquerque, and we will make it happen.”
White hasn’t run for elected office in nearly two decades, but he has remained a familiar face in Albuquerque, as he was elected as Bernalillo County Sheriff in 2002 and reelected in 2006. He was also a secretary for New Mexico’s Department of Public Safety under Governor Gary Johnson.
White told KRQE News 13 he’s running because he feels no one on the ballot supports conservative viewpoints, specifically as they relate to crime and homelessness. He said the city is heading in the wrong direction, but also said he’s not about getting into politics, but instead, he just wants to get to work “cleaning up the city.” He said that if he were elected, he would only serve four years because he’s not in it to pad his political career but to roll up his sleeves and clean up Albuquerque.
He said that the city is heading in the wrong direction, and if Tuesday night’s polling results prove anything, it’s that voters agree.
KRQE News 13 spoke to White on Tuesday, and he said he was feeling good about his prospects. “You get right back into it, and I do enjoy it. I enjoy talking to people and most importantly, the people of Albuquerque, they care about this city a great deal, and they’re very concerned about the direction,” said White.
White also said earlier Tuesday that if there is a run-off, that means enough people in the city want change, and he’s confident in where he stands.
Tuesday night, when asked what his response was to Keller saying he’s coming for him, he took some time to think about it, but then said, “It’s not just me, it’s every single person in this city who wants to change knows that we deserve better. That’s who I’m going to have in my corner fighting against Mayor Keller.
