Tim Keller leads Albuquerque mayoral race in campaign funding

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

The race for Albuquerque mayor is likely to start heating up soon. And, so is the money race.

Tim Keller – who is trying to become the first mayor in the city’s history to be elected to three straight terms is clearly leading the money race. However, most of that money is coming from your pocketbook.

That's because the city of Albuquerque allows mayoral candidates to qualify for public financing — a system introduced in 2009.

Candidates must gather 3,780 donations of five dollars to qualify for $756,000 in public funds.

“He'll have $756,000 of taxpayer money,” said KOAT political expert Brian Sanderoff. “Tim Keller does have a great financial advantage because of, primarily, the public campaign financing. But that doesn't mean you win.”

Keller is the only mayor ev