Dear Friends and Neighbors:

My name is Stephanie Telles, and I’m running to represent Westside families on the Albuquerque City Council.

I am a mom, a caregiver, an educator, and a small business owner who has dedicated my work to fighting for fairness, accountability, and real community support. I’ve helped uncover fraud, protect vulnerable families, and build systems that actually work for people, not just on paper, but in practice. Now, I’m ready to bring that same dedication to the Albuquerque City Council, because old keys don’t open new doors.

Like many of you, I’ve seen how our city’s systems are stretched thin, and how urgent challenges are affecting our families and neighborhoods. I'm also hearing loud and clear what so many of us are concerned about: growing traffic and infrastructure issues, limited opportunities for our youth and elders, and the need for more good-paying local jobs.

The Westside deserves a leader who answers to the people who live here because our city thrives when decisions are made close to home, with our voices front and center. We need leaders who don’t just listen, but take real bold action rooted in heart, accountability, and with a commitment to real results.

Together with my husband we are raising our young daughter right here on the Westside while also caring for my mom, who lives with dementia. Like so many of you, I know what it’s like to juggle work, family, bills, school and all the other competing priorities of everyday life. That’s why my commitment to this work is so deeply personal. I know the systems we rely on are stretched thin, with essential resources for the most vulnerable being cut. At the same time, large projects backed by deep pockets are fast-tracked, often benefiting few. The Westside deserves a councilor who understands public service means setting aside self-interests for the interests of those they serve and ensuring every decision made is community centered.

As the founder of a consulting business that partners with nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies, I’ve helped organizations confront complex challenges by providing training in fraud prevention and building systems that are safer, more responsive, and truly equitable. Now I want to bring that experience to City Hall because I believe Albuquerque’s future will be built from the ground up by focusing on with community projects that keep our resources local and strengthen our economy from within. Albuquerque thrives when we invest in local businesses, skilled trades, and neighborhood projects that keep money circulating in our community.

Public service is about showing up, listening with heart, and always putting people first. I want families to afford the neighborhoods they love, young people to see real opportunity ahead, elders to age with dignity and caregivers to have the support they need. I believe public safety is measured by how many lives we protect, not how many people we punish. Because when our communities have what they need to thrive, we can act with foresight, not just in crisis.

The future of the Westside will be built together, for each other by tending to the roots that make us strong: our people, our culture, and our shared commitment to do good.

Because we all do better, when we all do better.

That’s the vision I’ll bring to City Council, and I’d be honored to earn your trust and your vote.

With gratitude,

Stephanie Telles