Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller voiced outrage after someone gave several homeless people “I heart Tim Keller” sweatshirts.
On Monday morning, pictures emerged of homeless people wearing yellow sweatshirts with the text “I heart Tim Keller” on the front. The sweatshirts were spotted in areas where homeless people are known to congregate. Keller quickly noticed and attacked whoever was handing them out on social media, blaming supporters of his Republican mayoral opponent, Darren White.
“To Darren White supporters who think this is clever: yes, those sweatshirts offer warmth — but using unhoused people as political props is disgraceful. No one’s hardship should be a campaign stunt. White should join Mayor Keller in condemning this immediately,” Keller said in a post on X.
The sweatshirts began being handed out on the first day of early voting in the Albuquerque mayoral runoff election, which extends to Dec. 6. Election Day is Dec. 9.
Local outlet ABQ Raw visited homeless camps to interview occupants about who they would like to see as mayor. Many were unaware that a mayoral election was happening. One person said a Mexican candidate hung out with them for a few days, while another said they would vote for “Trump” for mayor.
Albuquerque’s mayoral election has revolved around matters of public safety and homelessness.
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Keller and White advanced to a runoff, receiving 35.7% and 30.6% of the vote, respectively. In an election for his third term, Keller’s share of the vote was widely viewed as a reflection on his administration.
However, Keller is expected to win, given the city’s Democratic leanings.