ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White announced Thursday he is officially entering the 2025 race for mayor of Albuquerque.

White joins a growing field of candidates with a vow to be a “proven leader,” “tough on crime” and a “champion for change.”

White was elected sheriff in 2002 and reelected in 2006. In 2009, then-Mayor Richard Berry appointed White to serve as the public safety director for the City of Albuquerque.

Earlier this week, retired Albuquerque fire chief Eddie Varela announced he was joining the race . 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.

Eddy Aragon, who has run for mayor before, confirmed to KOB 4 he will run for mayor again this year.

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.