2005 Albuquerque mayoral election
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The 2005 Albuquerque mayoral election took place on October 4, 2005. Incumbent Mayor Martin Chávez ran for re-election to a second consecutive term, and third term overall. Chávez faced four challengers: City Council President Brad Winter, City Councilor Eric Griego, former State Secretary of Transportation Judy Espinosa, and environmental planning commission member David Steele. Though Chávez's ex-wife, Margaret Aragón de Chávez, considered running against him,[1] she ultimately declined to do so.
During the campaign, Espinosa was disqualified from the ballot for submitting insufficient signatures. Though a district court judge initially allowed her to appear on the ballot, the city appealed to the New Mexico Supreme Court, which upheld Espinosa's disqualification but allowed her to seek additional signatures. Espinosa instead ended her campaign, concluding that she did not have enough time to gather enough signatures.[2]
The election was the first one since 1995 to require a runoff election if no candidate received 40 percent of the vote. The city charter required runoff elections, but a district court judge struck down the requirement in 1997, concluding that it violated the state constitution.[3] In 2004, voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing municipalities to require runoff elections.[4]
Chávez ultimately won re-election by a wide margin, winning 47 percent of the vote to Griego's 26 percent and Winter's 25 percent, becoming the first mayor in city history to win two consecutive terms.[5]
General election
Candidates
- Martin Chávez, incumbent Mayor[6]
- Eric Griego, City Councilor[7]
- Brad Winter, City Council President[8]
- David Steele, member of the city Environmental Planning Commission[9]
Dropped out
- Judy Espinosa, former Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Transportation[2]
Declined
- Margaret Aragón de Chávez, former educator, ex-wife of Martin Chávez[1]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Martin Chávez |
Eric Griego |
Brad Winter |
David Steele |
Others | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Polling Inc.[10] | August 17–18, 2005 | 501 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 40% | 13% | 11% | 3% | 2% | 31% |
| Research & Polling Inc.[11] | September 29–30, 2005 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 43% | 19% | 19% | 3% | — | 17% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Martin Chávez (inc.) | 41,092 | 47.08% | |
| Nonpartisan | Eric Griego | 22,560 | 25.84% | |
| Nonpartisan | Brad Winter | 21,779 | 24.95% | |
| Nonpartisan | David Steele | 1,859 | 2.13% | |
| Total votes | 87,290 | 100.00% | ||
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
- ^ a b Ludwick, Jim (April 27, 2005). "Aragón de Chávez Outlines Goals". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. B1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ a b McKay, Dan (August 18, 2005). "Espinosa Candidacy Over". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. C1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Ludwick, Jim (October 5, 2005). "Chávez Makes History: Mayor Avoids Runoff, Wins Re-Election". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. A1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Article VII, Section 5 (PDF), Constitution of New Mexico, 2004
- ^ Ludwick, Jim (October 5, 2005). "Chávez Makes History: Mayor Avoids Runoff, Wins Re-Election". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. A1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Jojola, Lloyd; Ludwick, Jim (May 15, 2005). "Chávez To Seek 3rd Term as Mayor". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. A1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ "City Councilor Says He'll Run for Mayor". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. December 13, 2004. p. D1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Ludwick, Jim (June 3, 2005). "Winter Running For Mayor's Office". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. A1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Siemers, Eric (April 20, 2005). "New mayoral candidate will focus on crime in city". The Albuquerque Tribune. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. A2. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Ludwick, Jim (August 21, 2005). "Chávez Leading The Pack In Poll". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. A1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Ludwick, Jim (October 2, 2005). "Chávez Holds On To Lead". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. A1. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ "CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE - REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION - CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS - October 7, 2005" (PDF). Albuquerque City Clerk. October 7, 2005. Retrieved July 26, 2025.