2009 Albuquerque mayoral election
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The 2009 Albuquerque mayoral election took place on October 6, 2009. Incumbent Mayor Martin Chávez ran for re-election to a third consecutive term, and fourth term overall. The city charter barred Chávez from seeking a third consecutive term, but he challenged the term limits,[1] successfully arguing that the limit was unconstitutional under the state constitution.[2]
In his bid for re-election, Chávez faced two challengers: Republican State Representative Richard Berry and Democrat Richard Romero, a former State Senator. Berry and Romero both attacked Chávez over his challenge to the term limits, with Romero comparing him to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was also seeking a third term that year.[2] Berry, a general contractor, campaigned on bringing his perspective as a businessman to city government, while Romero argued for greater transparency, and Chávez emphasized his accomplishments.[2]
Ultimately, though a majority of voters indicated that they believed the city was moving in the right direction,[3] Berry defeated Chávez. Berry won 44 percent of the vote to Chávez's 35 percent and Romero's 21 percent, avoiding the need for a runoff election, and becoming the first Republican to be elected Mayor since 1981.[4]
General election
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Richard Berry, State Representative (Republican)[5]
- Martin Chávez, incumbent Mayor (Democratic)[6]
- Richard Romero, former State Senator (Democratic)[7]
Declined
[edit]- Michael Cadigan, City Councilor
- Rob Dickson, developer
- Debbie O'Malley, City Councilor[8]
- Donna Rowe, community activist
- Rudy Serrano,
- James Thomas, businessman
Polling
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Richard Berry |
Martin Chávez |
Richard Romero |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Polling Inc.[9] | September 22–24, 2009 | 406 (LV) | ± 5.0% | 31% | 26% | 24% | 19% |
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Richard Berry | 36,869 | 43.79% | |
| Nonpartisan | Martin Chávez (inc.) | 29,513 | 35.06% | |
| Nonpartisan | Richard Romero | 17,767 | 21.10% | |
| Write-in | 38 | 0.05% | ||
| Total votes | 84,187 | 100.00% | ||
Notes
[edit]- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
[edit]- ^ McKay, Dan (January 4, 2008). "Term Limits In Mayor's Cross Hairs". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. B1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c Clark, Heather (October 5, 2009). "Albuquerque mayoral race heats up". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. p. A-8. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ McKay, Dan (September 27, 2009). "Majority Says Albuquerque Is Moving in Right Direction". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. A1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Olson, Sean (October 7, 2009). "It's Berry: Republican Challenger Upsets Three-Term Mayor Chávez; No Runoff Needed". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. A1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ McKay, Dan (February 24, 2009). "GOP Legislator Enters Mayor Race". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. D1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ "Chávez Touts Record Serving Albuquerque". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. July 13, 2009. p. A6. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ McKay, Dan (February 18, 2009). "Romero Launches Bid for Mayor". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. A1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ McKay, Dan (March 15, 2009). "O'Malley Drops Bid To Be Mayor". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. B4. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Olson, Sean (September 27, 2009). "Mayor race close: Berry Has Slim Lead Over Chávez, Romero, With Days To Go". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. A1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ "CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE - REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION - CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS - October 6, 2009" (PDF). Albuquerque City Clerk. October 16, 2009. Retrieved July 26, 2025.