ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The race for Albuquerque mayor is beginning to take shape as we now know of at least one candidate formally launching their campaign.

Mayling Armijo launched her 2025 bid for mayor Tuesday. Armijo is a veteran who has worked as the economic development director for Bernalillo County and the deputy county manager for Sandoval County and has experience the New Mexico Economic Development Department, according to her campaign. The Albuquerque native explained what her goals are for the city.

“Like many of us have noticed, crime in this city has just been increasing and increasing, year over year, and I want to be part of the solution and I want to fix crime and I want this city to be a place where we fill safe and welcome,” Armijo said.

Mayor Tim Keller is eligible to run for another four-year term. While he hasn’t formally announced his candidacy, he told KOB 4 in an interview that he intends to run this November.

“Yea, it’s no surprise, I think two years ago I said I will be asking voters for more time and it’s to finish these big issues we are finally seeing traction to move forward. Whether it’s the [Albuquerque] Community Safety Department, police reform – even the crime numbers finally going down – the Gateway Center, the stadium, all of that I want to see through and I need a couple more years to do it,” Mayor Keller said.

Voters elected Keller in 2017 and 2021. If he were reelected this fall, he would become the first mayor to win three consecutive terms and the second mayor to win three terms in the current mayoral form of government that was formed in 1974. Martin Chavez won three terms and served from 1993-1997 and 2001-2009.