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The first candidate forum of the campaign for Albuquerque mayor was hosted tonight by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Attending the forum were former New Mexico Senate leader Richard Romero, who has qualified for public financing, and Rudy Serrano who has said he will self-finance his campaign.
Both Romero and Serrano received a warm reception from the crowd of 60 or so union members, expressing support for unions and pledging to fight for better conditions for workers.
Also in the crowd were former Gov. Dave Cargo and State Rep. Janice Arnold Jones (R-Albuquerque).
GOP state Rep. RJ Berry – the third candidate to qualify for public financing along with incumbent Mayor Martin Chavez — was invited, but was out of town and could not attend. His campaign manager, Dana Feldman, made a brief statement for him.
Mayor Chavez also declined the invitation, although he sent a representative, Butch Kaiser, to greet the group. Kaiser said the mayor felt that participating in the forum would be inappropriate because he has not officially announced his candidacy.
At the forum, the candidates had about 15 minutes to address the union members. Then AFSCME members asked questions for about 20 minutes. The members warmly received both Romero and Serrano, and the candidates each told personal stories about their involvement with unions. Romero was a public school employee for many years; Serrano said he worked in the hospitality industry and was involved with a large union in Mexico City.
The election will take place on October 6. AFSCME is expected to make an endorsement in the race.
Click below to read the transcript.
Video from the event is posted below (in two pieces), courtesy of KNME-TV.
