By Rodd Cayton
On the heels of one former law enforcement officer entering the race for mayor of Albuquerque, another says he may run.
District 1 City Councilor Louie Sanchez Friday told CityDesk ABQ he’s exploring the idea of a mayoral run, though he cautioned that he had not yet made a final decision.
“I’m not fully 100% there yet,” he said.
Sanchez was an officer, detective and sergeant with the Albuquerque Police Department from 1988 to 2014, then joined Albuquerque Public Schools police before starting an insurance agency.
He’s been a vocal critic of Mayor Tim Keller and of APD Chief Harold Medina.
Sanchez’s council seat is also up for election this year and if he does run for mayor, he would not be allowed to run for reelection for his council seat. According to the City Clerk’s Office, nobody, including Sanchez, has filed paperwork to run for District 1.
Sanchez was elected to represent the Westside district in 2021, defeating incumbent Lan Sena, who Keller appointed after the death of Councilor Ken Sanchez.
There are three candidates who have filed to run for mayor, not including former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, who announced his campaign on Thursday. The others are Mayling Armijo, Eddie Varela and Patrick Sais.
Nonprofit journalism like this depends on readers like you. This story is supported by City Desk ABQ, a nonprofit newsroom project of Citizen Media Group supporting news and politics coverage that inspires readers to participate in local democracy. Become a supporter to keep City Desk free and support nonprofit, independent journalists covering politics and policy f0r New Mexico newsrooms.