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Tim Keller (politician)

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Tim Keller
Keller in 2019
30th Mayor of Albuquerque
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 1, 2017
Preceded byRichard J. Berry
26th Auditor of New Mexico
In office
January 5, 2015 – November 30, 2017
GovernorSusana Martinez
Preceded byHector Balderas
Succeeded byWayne Johnson
Member of the New Mexico Senate
from the 17th district
In office
January 3, 2009 – January 5, 2015
Preceded byShannon Robinson
Succeeded byMimi Stewart
Personal details
Born (1977-11-22) November 22, 1977 (age 46)
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseElizabeth Kistin
Children2
EducationUniversity of Notre Dame (BA)
Harvard University (MBA)
WebsiteGovernment website

Timothy M. Keller (born November 22, 1977)[1] is an American businessman and politician serving as the 30th mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as New Mexico State auditor before resigning to become mayor on December 1, 2017. He is also a former member of the New Mexico State Senate, representing the 17th district.

Early life and education

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Keller was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His father was a founder of Union Savings Bank and his mother was a public school teacher and homemaker. He was raised as a Roman Catholic and following his graduation from Saint Pius X High School, he attended the University of Notre Dame.[2] Growing up, Keller struggled with dyslexia, though he was not diagnosed until graduate school.

Keller earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Career

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Early career

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Keller is the founder of Digital Divide Data (DDD), which employs and trains disadvantaged persons in Cambodia.[3] DDD is now also present in Laos and Kenya, and has more than 1000 employees. The organization was ranked by Fast Company magazine as a global Top Innovator and by The Global Journal as one of the Top 100 NGOs worldwide.[4]

Keller in 2007

After graduating from business school, Keller returned to New Mexico where he worked in the community, volunteering for groups that foster economic opportunities in Albuquerque's International District. Keller has served on the boards of the Open Hands Foundation, the Asian American Association, and Albuquerque Southeast Team for Entrepreneur Development. Additionally, Keller spent fifteen years in the private sector, initially in strategic planning for fortune 500 companies and most recently helping Native American governmental financial operations. [citation needed]

New Mexico Senate

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Keller was elected in 2008 to represent the people of New Mexico Senate District 17, otherwise known as the International District.[2][3] In the 49th Legislative Session, Keller introduced 30 pieces of legislation passing 8; 4 of which were signed into law by Governor Bill Richardson.[4]

In the 2011–12 50th Legislative Session, Keller introduced 55 pieces of legislation,[5] passed 14 pieces of legislation, and 5 were signed into law by Governor Susana Martinez including reforming the In-State Business Preference that gives local businesses bidding preference on state government procurement. In December 2012, Keller was elected to the New Mexico State Senate leadership as Majority Whip and served two years until resigning after his election to State Auditor.[6]

New Mexico auditor

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2014 election

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Keller announced in spring 2013 that he would seek the office of New Mexico State Auditor.[7][8] During the election, Keller released a TV commercial that received national attention for being one of the most innovative and entertaining political ads of this cycle.[9] On November 4, 2014 Keller was elected State Auditor, defeating Robert Aragon, 54%-46%.[10]

Tenure

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Keller served as New Mexico's elected State Auditor from January 2015 through November 2017 when he resigned to assume his role as Mayor of Albuquerque. As Auditor, he primarily focused on helping government work better by providing transparency and accountability for government spending; informing policy choices; and tackling fraud, waste and abuse.[14]

These initiatives included:

  • A special audit of New Mexico's backlog of untested Sexual Assault Evidence Kits, commonly known as “rape kits” [15]
  • Investigating a lack of oversight, doctored receipts at La Promesa Charter School [17]
  • Discovering preferential tax treatment and abuse of power which ultimately led to the resignation and potential prosecution of State Tax and Revenue Secretary[11]
  • Money on the Sidelines: Report on Unspent Fund Balances. [29]
  • Discovering financial mismanagement at the University of New Mexico Athletics Department, costing the institution hundreds of thousands of dollars.[12]
  • A financial audit of the New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance that rendered 31 findings that ultimately led to a better run agency.[13]

2017 Albuquerque mayoral campaign

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Keller in 2014
Main article: 2017 Albuquerque mayoral election

In January 2017, Keller announced his intention to run in that year's Albuquerque mayoral election to fight for a safe, inclusive and innovative city. He stated that he would pursue public financing for his campaign by initially raising thousands of five-dollar donations, and pledged to expand the city's Police Department from around 850 officers to 1,200 if elected.[14] Of the final eight candidates to make the Mayoral ballot, Keller was the only one to receive public financing, collecting nearly 6,000 five-dollar donations from the community, an impressive organizing feat. Keller would receive roughly $380,000 from the city to run his campaign, while his opponents would have no cap to the amount of money they could raise.[15][16]

Throughout the course of the Election, Keller took part in multitudes of debates and forums, ranging from the standard televised debates for local channels, KRQE[17] and KOB,[18] as well as community based such as MIABQ's Forum for Young People, Young Professionals and Young Families,[19] Dukes Up #RealTalk Forum[20] and the Weekly Alibi's candidate Q&A.[21]

On October 3, Keller topped the ballot with 39 percent of the vote, 16 percentage points ahead of the second-placed candidate, Republican Albuquerque City Councilman Dan Lewis, whom Keller would face in a runoff election in November.[22]

Run-off Election: Seen as the front-runner,[23] Keller continued to garner broad support from across the city, including endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police,[24] recognition for his bipartisan work as Auditor and Senator,[25] and his pragmatic vision for the city's future.[26]

In the Albuquerque mayoral runoff election on November 14, 2017, Keller defeated Lewis with 62% of the vote.[27] Keller resigned from his position as State Auditor on November 30, 2017.

2021 Albuquerque mayoral campaign

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Main article: 2021 Albuquerque mayoral election

In November 2021, Keller won reelection to a second term.[28] He faced Manny Gonzales, a Democratic sheriff, and Eddy Aragon, a Republican radio host. Keller received 56% of the vote, winning outright rather than needing a runoff election because he achieved a majority.[29]

Mayor of Albuquerque

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Inauguration

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On December 1, 2017, Keller was sworn in as the 30th mayor of Albuquerque.[30] Keller named the first female chief administrative officer, Sarita Nair.[31][32]

After assuming office, Keller appointed new leadership at the Albuquerque Police Department. On November 28, 2017, Mayor Keller announced he would be naming Michael Geier as interim Chief-of-Police. In addition, Harold Medina, Rogelio "Roger" Banez, and Eric Garcia were named deputy chiefs.[33]

Sustainability

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Mayor Keller issued an executive order for the City of Albuquerque to use 100% renewable energy by 2030.[34] including building a large solar farm on the nearby Jicarilla Reservation.[35]

Mayor Keller has committed to switching the City of Albuquerque to 100% renewables by 2025.[36]

Community Safety

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Mayor Keller updated emergency response by creating a nationally recognized first-of-its-kind Community Safety Department sending trained professionals to non-violent 911 calls, ensuring the right response to calls for mental health, substance use, and homelessness — and freeing up police to focus on crime.[37]

In April 2021 Mayor Keller's administration cleared the Rape Kit backlog.[38]

City Improvements

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Mayor Keller established the Gateway Center, which aims to help 1,000 people per day, and the largest investment focused on helping the unhoused, addicted and people with mental health issues in state history.[39]

During Mayor Keller's time as Mayor the City of Albuquerque has invested over $200 million in new parks, libraries, housing, splash pads, street lights, road repairs, and community centers in underserved and historic neighborhoods.[40]

Personal life

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An avid football player, Keller played quarterback for Albuquerque's professional indoor football team, the Duke City Gladiators, for their 2018 season opener.[41][42] Keller is an avid fan of heavy metal music and was profiled as the “#MetalMayor” by The New York Times and has introduced a number of bands live on stage in Albuquerque. He is particularly fond of the thrash, progressive, and glam sub-genres of heavy metal, with Anthrax, Battlecross, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Motley Crue, Pantera, Sepultura, System of a Down, Testament, and Trivium being among his favorite bands and has commented that his love for the genre has impacted many areas of his life, including his dedication to public service. [43] He is also an advocate for Dyslexia awareness after being diagnosed with the disorder himself and re-learning various reading and processing skills as an adult.[44]

Electoral history

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New Mexico State Senate 17th District Democratic Primary Election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Keller 1,614 66
Democratic Shannon Robinson 832 34
New Mexico State Senate 17th District Election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Keller 9,275 100
New Mexico State Senate 17th District Democratic Primary Election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Keller (inc.) 7,481 65
Republican Shannon Robinson 4,057 35
New Mexico Auditor Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Keller 270,386 54
Republican Robert Aragon 228,019 46
Mayor of Albuquerque 2017 Election Results
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democrat Tim Keller 38,156 39%
Republican Dan Lewis 22,238 23%
Democrat Brian Colon 15,884 16%
Republican Wayne Johnson 9,342 10%
Democrat Augustus "Gus" Pedrotty 6,638 7%
Independent Michelle Garcia Holmes 3,748 4%
Independent Susan Wheeler-Deichsel 490 1%
Republican Ricardo Chavez 475 0%
Total Votes 96,971 100%
Albuquerque Mayoral Runoff Election, 2017
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Keller 60,219 62
Republican Dan Lewis 36,594 38
Mayor of Albuquerque 2021 Election Results
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democrat Tim Keller 66,251 56%
Democrat Manuel Gonzales III 30,337 25%
Republican Eddy Aragon 21,815 18%
Total Votes 118,403 100%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Twitter". Mobile.twitter.com. November 22, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  2. ^ "404" (PDF). Sos.state.nm.us. Retrieved May 22, 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  3. ^ Romo, Rene (June 4, 2008). "ABQjournal Elex: Several Longtime Lawmakers Unseated". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  4. ^ "Error - New Mexico Legislature". Nmlegis.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  5. ^ "Error - New Mexico Legislature". nmlegis.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  6. ^ "Dems Elect New Leaders". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  7. ^ "Sen. Tim Keller to run for state auditor, pass on 2014 gov's race | Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  8. ^ "Why I'm Running". timkellerfornewmexico. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  9. ^ ""Breaking Bad"-Themed Political Ad Might Be Best Political Ad Ever". Buzzfeed.com. October 15, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  10. ^ "2016 New Mexico Election Results". KOB. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  11. ^ Chief, Dan Boyd | Journal Capitol Bureau (November 3, 2018). "Padilla corruption case moves forward". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  12. ^ Writers, Jessica Dyer and Geoff Grammer | Journal Staff (November 10, 2017). "Athletics audit slams UNM's financial structure". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  13. ^ Writer, Rick Nathanson | Journal Staff (February 23, 2017). "Audit finds 31 issues at state insurance office". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  14. ^ "State auditor announces bid for ABQ mayor » Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. January 11, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  15. ^ "Keller qualifies for public funding » Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. April 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  16. ^ KRQE Media (October 3, 2017). "Tim Keller to face Dan Lewis in runoff election for mayor". Krqe.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  17. ^ KRQE Media (September 11, 2017). "2017 Albuquerque Mayoral Debate". Krqe.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  18. ^ "REPLAY: The #ABQ4ward Mayoral Debate in full | KOB 4". Kob.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  19. ^ "2017 MiABQ Mayoral Forum". YouTube. August 30, 2017. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "2017 Albuquerque Mayoral #RealTalk Forum (HQ repost)". YouTube. May 20, 2013. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  21. ^ "Candidate Q&A: Tim Keller's Alibi interview [Video]". Alibi.com. April 6, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  22. ^ Oxford, Andrew (October 7, 2017). "Albuquerque election hints at what's ahead | Local News". santafenewmexican.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  23. ^ "Keller, Lewis headed for mayoral runoff » Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. October 4, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  24. ^ "Albuquerque police union endorses Keller » Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. September 21, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  25. ^ "In Senate, Keller 'stood up to overreach of power by governors' » Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. November 9, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  26. ^ "Editorial: Keller's leadership, experience needed » Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. November 10, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  27. ^ "Tim Keller wins Albuquerque's mayoral race". Kob.com. November 14, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  28. ^ "Tim Keller wins reelection as Albuquerque mayor". KRQE NEWS 13. November 3, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  29. ^ "Tim Keller wins reelection as mayor of Albuquerque". Business Insider.
  30. ^ "WATCH: Mayor Tim Keller's official inauguration ceremony". Koat.com. December 1, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  31. ^ "Mayor-elect names four key appointments » Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. November 27, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  32. ^ "Mayor-elect Tim Keller planning transition into new office | KOB 4". Kob.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  33. ^ "Keller's pick for APD interim chief draws praise » Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. November 28, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  34. ^ "Albuquerque ranked 3rd in new study for solar energy production". May 29, 2020.
  35. ^ "Major public-private solar project gets OK". March 27, 2020.
  36. ^ "Solar ABCs". City of Albuquerque. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  37. ^ "Mayor Keller announces new Albuquerque Community Safety Department". KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. June 15, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  38. ^ "New Mexico city ends backlog of untested rape evidence kits". AP News. April 30, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  39. ^ "Progress at the Gateway Center Continues". City of Albuquerque. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  40. ^ "Mayor Keller's 2021 State of the City: Leading through Uncharted Territory, Lays Out Albuquerque's Road to Recovery". City of Albuquerque. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  41. ^ "Mayor Tim Keller Quarterbacks the Duke City Gladiators - YouTube". www.youtube.com. September 12, 2019. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  42. ^ Writer, Bob Christ | Journal Staff (March 9, 2018). "From mayor to quarterback: Keller to play for Gladiators in exhibition". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  43. ^ Romero, Simon (April 18, 2018). "For Albuquerque's Headbanger Mayor, Power Comes in Power Chords (Published 2018)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  44. ^ Walz, Kent (December 31, 2017). "Tim Keller, Albuquerque's new mayor, takes the reins". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
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Political offices
Preceded by Auditor of New Mexico
2015–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Mayor of Albuquerque
2017–present 		Incumbent
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