Christopher Sedillo
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Christopher Sedillo ran for election to the Albuquerque City Council to represent District 3 in New Mexico. He lost in the general election on November 4, 2025.
Sedillo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Christopher Sedillo was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1981 to 2007. He earned a high school diploma from Rio Grande High School and an associate degree from St. Leo University in 1990. His professional experience also includes working as a truck driver and poll worker.[1]
Sedillo has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]
- American Legion Post 13 and Honor Guard and Legion Riders
- American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER)
- Knight of Columbus for Church of the Ascension
- Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico
- Moose Lodge
- Trench Rats
- NM Veterans and Military Family Caucus
- Citizen Police Academy Alumni
- Harley Davidson Owners Group
- Disable American Veteran (DAV)
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Albuquerque, New Mexico (2025)
General runoff election
General runoff election for Albuquerque City Council District 3
Incumbent Klarissa Peña defeated Teresa Garcia in the general runoff election for Albuquerque City Council District 3 on December 9, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Klarissa Peña (Nonpartisan) | 50.5 | 3,338 |
 | Teresa Garcia (Nonpartisan) | 49.5 | 3,270 | |
| Total votes: 6,608 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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General election
General election for Albuquerque City Council District 3
Incumbent Klarissa Peña and Teresa Garcia advanced to a runoff. They defeated Christopher Sedillo in the general election for Albuquerque City Council District 3 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Klarissa Peña (Nonpartisan) | 41.4 | 2,727 |
| ✔ | | Teresa Garcia (Nonpartisan) | 37.8 | 2,491 |
 | Christopher Sedillo (Nonpartisan) | 20.8 | 1,371 | |
| Total votes: 6,589 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Natalia Saldana (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
To view Sedillo's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Sedillo in this election.
2017
The city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, held elections for mayor and city council on October 3, 2017. The filing deadline for mayoral candidates was March 31, 2017, and the filing deadline for city council candidates was May 31, 2017.[2]
Incumbent Klarissa Peña defeated Christopher Sedillo in the Albuquerque City Council District 3 general election.[3]
| Albuquerque City Council, District 3 General Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Klarissa Peña Incumbent |
67.58% | 2,651 |
| Christopher Sedillo | 32.42% | 1,272 |
| Total Votes | 3,923 | |
| Source: City of Albuquerque, "Municipal Election Official Results," October 13, 2017 | ||
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Christopher Sedillo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sedillo's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My name is Christopher Sedillo, retired US Navy Senior Chief Radioman and Paratrooper who served around the world, including Iraq, Kuwait, the Persian Gulf and several WESTPAC deployments. I retire from the the US Navy after 26 years and then worked as a commercial truck driver for a couple years. An Albuquerque native, I grew up in the South Valley and graduated from Rio Grande High School. I have earned an Associates degree from St. Leo University. My post retirement activities include involvement in numerous civic and military-related organizations, such as American Legion Post 13, where I served as Chaplain and Honor Guard Commander for the last four years. I served over three years as a board member for Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico which takes our veterans to Washington DC to see their Memorials. I am a 4th degree Knight for Knights of the Ascension. I champion equality and community engagement, advocating for veterans' rights including LGBTQIA+. I have been appointed by the Governor to Veteran Advisory Council of New Mexico. I own my home on the westside and I would like to serve my community if elected. I have worked as a poll worker for the last three years at 98th St. and Central.
- We have a major housing shortage in Albuquerque and the homeless problem. I am concern about affordable housing and I would work hard to update restrictive zoning rules to allow multi-family housing. Permit apartments in commercially zoned land. Cut red tape and ensure permits request are turned around quickly. I would also partner with nonprofit to provide wraparound services for the unhoused, including mental health, job placement and transitional housing.
- To address crime and public safety you need to start at the top. You need to hold the leadership responsible for everything that happens in their department. DWI scandal and Chief of Police not knowing what is going on in their department is a total failure. I would initiate the screening for a national search for a proven leader form outside the state to take over as the new Chief of Police. Expand community-based policing and crisis intervention teams. Work on recruiting & retaining quality officer & increase service Aides. Improve school safety by installing metal detectors in all public schools. Utilize Real-Time Crime Technology Responsibly and Transparently. Work with state legislatures to end the catch and release.
- I am concern about the accountability and transparency of city hall. We have a visitor center that was built four years ago and they had a grand opening about three years ago. It is still not open. There was Larry Barker special on the mess it started. There was no feasibility study and then after being build all the mismanagement. This is unacceptable and waste of taxpayer dollars. It was suppose to bring in income and be self sustaining and it is only a drain on tax payer dollars.
Transportation system needs to be improved. They need better routes to accommodate the public. Since they went to the zero fare safety on buses has declined drastically. I would fight to put security guards on all buses. If public do not feel safe on the buses they are not going to ride them. They need to hire more buses drivers. They have a major shortage of bus drives. They nee to have a significant pay raise. If you have a CDL you need to pay them appropriately. With pay increase with more years in. I work on both to increase bus drives pay and to hire more bus drivers.
For one they approve the city budget. They decide what services are provided for it's residents. They pass city ordinance that if broken can be prosecuted or arrested for. They pass zoning requirements for what type of business or housing can be build. They have build city parks and maintain these parks for your children have a safe place to play. They have implement changing road designs to make if more safer for bicycles. Or trying to change the voting requirements for municipal elections. Twelve years ago the people voted that any candidate to get elected must obtain at-least 50 percent plus 1 to be elected. This year they attempted to change it to a simple majority. So a person could possibly be elected with only 30 percent of the votes depending on how many candidates are running.
I look up to General Colin Powell who was the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff. He was a man of integrity and commanded respect. His 13 principles of leadership include that everyone should live by are: "1. It ain't as bad as you think. 1. It will look better in the morning. 2. Get mad then get over it. 3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when position falls, your ego goes with it. 4. It can be done.
5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it. 6. Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision. 7. You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours. 8. Check small things. 9. Share credit 10. Remain calm. Be kind. 11. Have a vision. Be demanding. 12. Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers. 13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier." His success is great to accomplish what he has done. If I could accomplish a fraction of what he did I would be happy.
5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it. 6. Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision. 7. You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours. 8. Check small things. 9. Share credit 10. Remain calm. Be kind. 11. Have a vision. Be demanding. 12. Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers. 13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier." His success is great to accomplish what he has done. If I could accomplish a fraction of what he did I would be happy.
I believe what is very important is community engagement. When your constituent reaches out to their elected official they should return their call or text message or email. I believe strongly in neighborhood associations and I have been the Vice President of Westgate Neighborhood Association until April of this year. Working together to address the issues and working together for the best solution. Making our neighborhood stronger and able to thrive.
My core responsibilities is to my constituent to represent them. To provide accountability and transparency. They should know where their tax dollars are going. I believe we need to work good roads and sidewalks that are not buckling up. I think that our Community Centers and Senior Centers should also be open on the weekends. We spend millions of dollars to built these beautiful facilities but only utilized it only 75 percent of the time.
I think the way I have always lived my life will be my legacy. I like to be remembered as someone who cared about people and made a difference in my community. From serving in the Honor Guard ensuring all Veterans receive the proper military honor that they have earned. Always been there for family and friends. Being a caregiver, for family members in their time of need. Active member in the Democratic party and serving as a Ward Chair and elected to the State Central Committee member. Advocated for Veterans benefits and helping Veterans with obtaining their veterans plates etc. I hope my legacy that I leave behind is that I made a difference in my community.
The first historical event that I will remember for the rest of my life was the Oklahoma City Bombing. The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building on April 19, 1995. I was stationed at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, OK and I was the PRT(Physical Readiness Test) Coordinator for the command. That morning we were outside at the track conducting the annual Physical Readiness test when shortly after 9am we hear a loud explosion. Then heard sirens going off every where. I was informed to return all service members back to the command ASAP. Being in charge of the Facilities department. We were providing bus services for service member to donate blood and assist with local law enforcement. I was 32 years old when this happened.
My second most historical event that I will remember for the rest of my life was the attack on 9/11. When the twin towers were destroyed by two airplanes. I was stationed at that time on the USNS Sioux (T-ATF 171) an ocean going tug. That morning we had just went into port in San Francisco and dock at the pier. My radio team went for a morning jog. When we return back to the ship, the Deck Officer ask us if we knew that the twin towers in New York is under attack. I said no I went directly to the Radio Room. We begin receiving flash messages to get underway and go out to sea. Within the hour we were back out to sea.
My second most historical event that I will remember for the rest of my life was the attack on 9/11. When the twin towers were destroyed by two airplanes. I was stationed at that time on the USNS Sioux (T-ATF 171) an ocean going tug. That morning we had just went into port in San Francisco and dock at the pier. My radio team went for a morning jog. When we return back to the ship, the Deck Officer ask us if we knew that the twin towers in New York is under attack. I said no I went directly to the Radio Room. We begin receiving flash messages to get underway and go out to sea. Within the hour we were back out to sea.
I was raised by a single mother and due to her health was unable to hold a full time job and living on a fixed income. Living below the poverty level allow me at to qualify to work for the Youth Opportunity Program. Through this program, I was able to work during my sophomore year in high school with the Small Business Administration after school. I learn to handle paperwork, filing and organizing. During the summer after my sophomore year I work with the school janitor doing major cleaning at the school getting it ready for the next school year. Then for the summer after my high school graduation I was accepted and worked at Sandia Labs where I learned a lot about testing and even made a new friend to car pool. After my summer job with Sandia Labs with two weeks off, I left for boot camp in San Diego. I joined the Navy through the delay entry program. This allowed me to help my mother and was the best decision I ever made. I retired 26 years later retiring as a Senior Chief Radioman.
I do not really have a favorite book to speak of.
None that comes to mind at this time.
Not being accepted for who I am.
We should be able to know all the employees city hires and their job description and what they get paid. It is all about transparency to me. Why the city is constantly getting fine for holding to long to IPRA (Inspection Public Records Act) request. Costing taxpayers lots of money. Case in point the 13 million visitor center on the westside of Central. Grand opening was done three years ago and it still is not open. No visitors and a special report by Larry Barker on channel 13 of the total mismanagement.
No. I believe every individuals brings different life experiences. They have different ideas and prospective that they bring to the table. I have been involved in politics and I am a ward chair and a state central committee member. I am outsider and not your normal politician. I am running a grassroot campaign powered by the people. My service with 26 years of active duty in the US Navy qualifies me to handle anything that a city council is expected to address.
Having good communications skills and able to know your community and their needs. Knowing how to work around the red tape and how to get things done. Listening to your community and giving them a voice. People skills and able to work with everyone and have a good working relationship with state and federal elected officials. By working together we can make our community a better place to live.
It is very important since City council handles all the basic needs in the community. They approve the city budget and what their priorities decide what services are funded and what is not funded. They can advocate for funds from the state legislatures. They can revitalize areas that have been neglected and have closed. They can revitalize these areas by bringing in new business through incentives and the metropolitan Agency.
State Senator Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez
State Senator Harold Pope
State Representative Eleanor Chavez
APS Board Member Heather Benavidez
Boxer Josh "Pitbull" Torres
Former APS Board Member Candy Patterson
Former DVS Cabinet Secretary Sonya Smith
Vote Vets
As a board member for the Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico. We take our Veterans to Washington DC to see their Memorials. At the end of the day of visiting their Memorials from the WWII, Korean War memorial and the Vietnam wall and the Changing of the Guard at the National Cemetery. When we return back to the hotel. They have very nice dinner and each Veteran is given a chance to say what this meant to them. For some of the Vietnam Veterans who son or daughter was their guardian. They were able to finally speak about their loss in Vietnam and their sincere thanks for giving them the welcoming they deserve that they did not receive when they came back home from the war. Their story brought tears and appreciation that they are not forgotten. For me personally, it was when I presented the flag my first time to the next of kin the mother and her eight year old daughter after their husband and father was killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. I still remember the daughter as tears rolled down her eyes as I am presenting the Flag to this eight old.
I am proud that I was able to be a caregiver for family members when they needed me. My other accomplishment that I am proud of was completing jump school and earning my gold parachute wings. I was also proud of completing the Honolulu marathon in 2007. I was honored to get enough votes to be a delegate last year to attend the Democrat National Convention in Chicago to nominate Kamala Harris for President.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2017
Sedillo participated in Ballotpedia's 2017 survey of municipal government candidates.[4] The following sections display his responses to the survey questions. When asked what his top priority would be if elected, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | Increase economic opportunities and reducing crime.[5] | ” |
| —Christopher Sedillo (July 7, 2017)[6] | ||
Ranking the issues
The candidate was asked to rank the following issues by importance in the city, with 1 being the most important and 12 being the least important: city services (trash, utilities, etc.), civil rights, crime reduction/prevention, environment, government transparency, homelessness, housing, K-12 education, public pensions/retirement funds, recreational opportunities, transportation, and unemployment. This table displays this candidate's rankings from most to least important.
| Issue importance ranking | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate's ranking |
Issue | Candidate's ranking |
Issue |
| Homelessness | Public pensions/retirement funds | ||
| Housing | K-12 education | ||
| Unemployment | Civil rights | ||
| Crime reduction/prevention | City services (trash, utilities, etc.) | ||
| Government transparency | Environment | ||
| Transportation | Recreational opportunities | ||
Nationwide municipal issues
The candidate was asked to answer questions from Ballotpedia regarding issues facing cities across America. The questions are in the left column and the candidate's responses are in the right column. Some questions provided multiple choices, which are noted after those questions.
| Question | Response |
|---|---|
| Very important | |
| Local | |
| Increased economic opportunities. When you have high unemployment and no opportunity this increases crime. A strong economy decreases crime. | |
| Focusing on small business development. Small business is the back bone and when do well the economy does good. | |
| Balloon festival and the people it brings in from all over. | |
| Reduce crime. |
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 13, 2025
- ↑ City of Albuquerque, "2017 Election Calendar for Candidates," accessed May 7, 2017
- ↑ City of Albuquerque, "2017 City Council Candidates," accessed June 30, 2017
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's municipal government candidate survey, 2017, "Christopher Sedillo's Responses," July 7, 2017
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