ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Retired Albuquerque fire chief Eddie Varela is joining a couple of other candidates in the 2025 race for mayor.

Varela said he wants to restore public safety, rebuild trust in the government and revitalize the economy.

Albuquerque native Mayling Armijo threw her hat in the ring last month. She is focused on tackling crime. Her experience consists of working as economic development director for Bernalillo County, the deputy county manager for Sandoval County and with the New Mexico Economic Development Department, according to her campaign.

Mayor Tim Keller is eligible to run for another four-year term. While he hasn’t formally announced his candidacy, he told KOB 4 in an interview that he intends to run this November.

Voters elected Keller in 2017 and 2021. If he were reelected this fall, he would become the first mayor to win three consecutive terms and the second mayor to win three terms in the current mayoral form of government that was formed in 1974. Martin Chavez won three terms and served from 1993-1997 and 2001-2009.