ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Mayor Tim Keller's use of taxpayer funds to advertise and rebroadcast his State of the City address has sparked complaints from opponents , who argue the event resembles a campaign rally.
City officials have confirmed that since COVID-19, the mayor has used tax dollars for this purpose, spending between $20,000 and $30,000 annually.
Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, who is running against Keller in this year's election, has filed a complaint with the city's inspector general and plans to file another with the state's ethics commission.
"It's nothing more than a campaign infomercial for 30 minutes, paid for by the taxpayers,” White said. “It's pretty brazen,"
White cited a city ordinance that prohibits using city property or funds to promote the cam