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Tim Keller Sworn in for Second Term as Mayor of Albuquerque

Inauguration speech focuses on the ‘Promise of Albuquerque:’ the foundation established and path forward

Today, Mayor Tim Keller was sworn in to continue to serve as Albuquerque’s 31st elected mayor, 10th under the current form of mayoral government, and 82nd named leader since 1706. During the inauguration ceremony, hosted in a hybrid format out of caution for the current state COVID-19, Mayor Keller spoke to the centuries-long journey of city-building, reflecting on the deep challenges that our community faces today, the approach required to overcome them, and the foundations for systemic change and generational progress that have been laid over the past four years.   

“We are pursuing the promise of our city. A place where families find safety in every community, where there’s opportunity for every child to reach their potential, and where we all share pride in what we accomplish together. But there is no doubt that we face a tough road ahead,” said Mayor Keller. “That’s why we are pushing forward so fiercely. It’s not just in spite of our challenges, but because of them. From my own young family, to every family in the Duke City, we love Albuquerque but we will not pass it down to our children with our challenges unmet.”

During his first term, Mayor Keller’s administration laid the groundwork for fundamental changes to our city in the pursuit of building a safer, healthier, more equitable place for people to live and grow up. Landmark initiatives like the Gateway Center, critical investments in public safety technology and personnel, the creation of the Albuquerque Community Safety Department, the Metro Crime Initiative, aggressive sustainability goals, and proactive economic development and job creation strategies will remain in focus as the city continues to navigate the pandemic and drive a strong recovery.

“Over the past four years, we have broken through long-standing barriers to lay a foundation for lasting change that we can build on,” Keller reflected regarding leading the city over the last four years. 

Mayor Keller stressed the urgency and importance of focusing the city and Council on problem solving rather than rehashing the city’s known challenges: “On our journey for the promise of the Duke City, we don’t have the luxury of shortcuts, and we don’t have time to waste debating ‘the problem,’ we know its crime, we know its homelessness and addiction. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and tame the tough road ahead.”

The administration will continue its pursuit of quality of life enhancing projects to make Albuquerque a safer, more welcoming place that fosters opportunity for people of all ages. Advances in road safety, environmental and economic equity, expanded services for youth, and an ongoing reimagining of a public safety system that works for all will guide the next four years of progress toward the promise that our city holds.

“If we are prepared to double down on the foundation we have built, and resist the in-fighting that has so often held us back; then when it’s time to hand the reigns of this journey off to the next generation, I know they will start far closer to the promise of Albuquerque than any have before,” Keller concluded.

Full remarks by the Mayor are available by request or on YouTube.

From Alcaldes to Mayors: A History of Leadership in Albuquerque

The history of leadership and community building in Albuquerque stretches to time immemorial, when Native Americans first settled the valley. The more recent recorded history of named leadership in Albuquerque still spans over three centuries and three countries: Spain, Mexico, and the United States. Over 80 individuals have held the highest office since 1706 when military commander Captain Martín Hurtado who was appointed by Spanish Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdes to organize the original settlement of Albuquerque.

Over the past 315 years, Albuquerque’s leadership has been represented in varied form, including but not limited to alcaldes, jefe politicos, mayors, military commanders, aldermen, and city commissioners.

In 1821 under Mexican government, Albuquerque held its first election, naming Antonio Ruiz the first elected alcalde. In 1885, under United States government, Henry N. Jaffa became the first elected mayor. Learn more about the history of Albuquerque’s leadership here.