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A UNM alumna withdrew her election bid for mayor of Albuquerque last week, narrowing the race down to three candidates.
Margaret Aragon de Chavez, wife of former Albuquerque mayor Martin Chavez, dropped out of the race on Friday. Now, Democrat Pete Dinelli, Republican incumbent Richard Berry and Republican Paul Heh remain in the race.
Aragon de Chavez, who was running as a Democrat, told the Albuquerque Journal she got enough signatures to make the ballot. But she said she decided to withdraw after realizing it was “going to be a very expensive race.”
According to Dinelli’s Twitter account, Dinelli expects Aragon de Chavez to support him in his candidacy for mayor:
“Thanks to (Margaret Aragon de Chavez) for her passion and love for (Albuquerque). I’m honored to have her support as we work to move our city forward!”
Dinelli, who was a former city councilor and deputy city attorney, said on his website, PeteDinelli.com, he wants to reassess the city’s police force and conduct a nationwide search for a new police chief. He said that if elected, he will also work to increase the ethics and transparency of city officials.
Dinelli also said on his website that he aims to provide more education and training programs for Albuquerque residents in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. He also said he wants to improve public infrastructure in the city to help create more jobs.
Heh, a former APD officer who served for 24 years, said on his website, Heh4ABQ.com, he aims to focus on improving the city’s economy during his campaign. He also said he plans to eliminate corruption from the police department and to address the high rate of drug abuse in Albuquerque.
“I will get our economy robust again and bring not just jobs, but careers to the citizens of Albuquerque,” he said on his website. “I will correct the corruption that plagues our police department and restore the community’s trust in law enforcement.”
Berry announced his reelection bid in February.
In a statement sent out by his campaign, Berry said he achieved most of his goals during his term since 2009. He said that when he was mayor, the city’s general crime rate as measured by the FBI dropped to its lowest level “in decades.” Also, the city government succeeded in cutting operating costs while balancing $140 million in budget deficits. He also said he has made Albuquerque more attractive to businesses by developing the area around Paseo del Norte and I-25.
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Berry said in the statement that he plans to continue the work that he started.
“This campaign is about meeting challenges head-on and moving Albuquerque forward,” he said in the statement. “It’s also about working together — as a community, to create a brighter future for all of us. I really enjoy going to City Hall and working for you, the citizens I serve.”
Albuquerque voters will select their new mayor on Oct. 8.
