Former Las Cruces Mayor Miyagishima Announces New Mexico Governor Candidacy

Ken Miyagishima, the longest-serving mayor of Las Cruces from 2007 to 2023, has announced his Democratic candidacy for Governor of New Mexico. He emphasized focusing on housing, medical malpractice reform, crime reduction, and homelessness as critical issues facing the state. Miyagishima highlighted the need for leadership that listens and strengthens communities, asserting that previous leadership with backgrounds as congresspersons, cabinet members, or district attorneys has not yielded satisfactory outcomes, particularly in addressing high crime rates. He pointed to his experience as mayor of New Mexico’s second-largest city and his connections with other mayors who served under the Biden administration, arguing that mayors are uniquely qualified to govern due to their close ties to communities and ability to balance diverse interests with limited resources. Miyagishima enters a competitive Democratic primary that already includes former congresswoman and U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, with Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales considering a run. His campaign aims to ensure that policy reflects the diverse needs of New Mexico's population.