Keller's "WAR ZONE"
The "WAR ZONE" of Albuquerque, New Mexico — brought to you by Mayor Tim Keller and Police Chief Harold Medina. Has Tim Keller earned another term?
Why Is Tim Keller Responsible for Albuquerque’s “War Zone”?
For decades, Southeast Albuquerque has carried the infamous nickname: the “War Zone.” It is an area plagued by violent crime, drugs, prostitution, and poverty. In 2009, when Tim Keller was first elected as a state senator representing District 17—the very heart of the so-called War Zone—he had a chance to make a real difference. Instead, after more than a decade in public office, first as a state senator, then as New Mexico State Auditor, and now as Mayor of Albuquerque (since 2017), the problems remain the same—or worse.
District 17: Keller’s First Responsibility
Tim Keller began his political career in 2009 as the state senator for District 17, covering much of Albuquerque’s International District—the renamed “War Zone.” This was his home base, his core constituency, and his chance to prove he could bring solutions to a part of the city that had long suffered from neglect.
But the record tells a different story. Despite campaign promises about reform, economic growth, and community safety, the district remained mired in crime, drugs, and poverty. By the time Keller left the state legislature in 2014, the neighborhood’s reputation as Albuquerque’s most dangerous area was firmly intact.
Auditor to Mayor: Promises Without Change
In 2015, Keller became New Mexico’s State Auditor. From there, he used his platform to position himself as a reformer, someone who would take on waste and corruption. By 2017, he leveraged that image to win the Albuquerque mayor’s office.
As mayor, Keller inherited a city already struggling with high crime rates, but instead of delivering bold action, his leadership has been marked by empty slogans and cosmetic fixes. His administration leaned on “rebranding” the War Zone as the “International District” to shed the stigma—but rebranding alone doesn’t stop homicides, overdoses, or gang activity. Residents know the truth: conditions have not improved.
A Decade of Failure
Let’s look at the timeline:
2009–2014: Keller represents District 17 in the New Mexico Senate. The War Zone remains plagued by violent crime.
2015–2017: Keller serves as State Auditor. He shifts focus to statewide financial oversight, leaving his home district no better than before.
2017–2025: Keller serves two terms as Albuquerque mayor. Under his watch, Albuquerque consistently ranks among the most dangerous cities in the nation, with the War Zone still at the epicenter.
That’s 16 years in public office—with direct ties to the area most in need of leadership—and still no lasting solutions.
The Reality on the Ground
Ask longtime Albuquerque residents, and you’ll hear the same thing: the War Zone is still the War Zone. Drive down Central Avenue at night, and you’ll see the crime, homelessness, and addiction openly playing out. Families know better than to stroll the streets after dark. Businesses hesitate to invest. Police resources remain stretched thin.
Tim Keller has had ample time, power, and opportunity to bring meaningful change. Instead, his approach has been more about political branding than real results.
Conclusion: Accountability Matters
Tim Keller’s defenders might argue that Albuquerque’s problems are bigger than one man. And that’s true—to a point. But when that one man has held responsibility for the same community since 2009, when he has campaigned on fixing it for years, and when he has now served eight years as mayor of the entire city, accountability falls squarely on his shoulders.
The War Zone is still here. And Tim Keller, after more than a decade in office, has failed to fix it.