Mayoral race in full swing

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Campaigning has officially begun in this year’s race for Albuquerque Mayor and at last check there were five names in the hat.

Mayoral hopefuls and volunteers have been going door-to-door trying to get the 3,000 signatures needed by the end of April to get their names on the ballot.

Former Mayor Martin Chavez’s ex-wife, Margaret Aragon De Chavez, is one of the contenders.  She picked up her paperwork Saturday and tells KRQE News 13  her goal is to bring businesses back to the city.

Current Mayor RJ Berry also made his move official over the weekend, announcing his plans to run to keep his seat.  He won with 44 percent of the vote when he ran for Mayor three years ago, becoming Albuquerque’s first Republicans Mayor since 1985.

Jay Flowers, 30, is also giving the race a shot.  Flowers works at Office Services at a local law firm and says he is hoping to represent the working class.

Retired APD Sergeant Paul Heh and former City Councilor Pete Dinelli both aannounced their plans to run earlier this year.

He says he’s running on a platform focused on education and economic growth.

Dinelli, former Deputy City Attorney and former leader of the Safe City Strike Force, says he wants to bring confidence back to the troubled police department.    

Aragon De Chavez, Dinelli and Heh are all trying to get public financing.  They’ll need over 3,600 contributions of $5 by the end of next month to qualify. 

The election will take place October 8th and voters will also get to choose their city councilors.