ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – As Albuquerque’s December 9 mayoral runoff approaches, candidates Tim Keller and Darren White are deploying contrasting financial strategies to reach voters.
Keller, the incumbent, is the only candidate to qualify for public financing through the city’s Open and Ethical Elections fund. He received nearly $756,000 for the general election and must return any unused funds by November 7. For the runoff, Keller will receive close to $378,000—an amount based on one dollar per registered voter in the city.
His campaign plans to use the funds to communicate with voters, focusing on social media to target specific groups.
White, a former Bernalillo County sheriff, is privately funded and faces fewer restrictions. He has raised approximately $303,000 in total, with about $37,000 remaining as the runoff begins. His campaign has invested in direct mail, which can be costly but effective in reaching voters with a history of participation, according to KOAT political analyst Brian Sanderoff.
During the general election, White spent $42,000 on TV ads, while Keller spent $111,000. White is not eligible for public financing in the runoff, as only candidates who qualified in the general election can continue receiving those funds.
Both campaigns are also supported by political action committees, which operate under fewer regulations than individual candidates.
