EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima announced that he is running for governor of the State of New Mexico.
Current Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is term-limited and cannot run for re-election in 2026.
Miyagishima is the longest serving mayor in Las Cruces history, serving from 2007 to 2023.
During his announcement on Tuesday, May 27, he said he would be committed to tackling “the pressing challenges” facing New Mexico communities.
“My focus will be on critical issues such as housing, medical malpractice reform and crime reduction, and homelessness,” he said.
“New Mexico deserves a leader who listens and is dedicated to strengthening our communities,” Miyagishima said. “I will work tirelessly to ensure that every voice is heard and that our policies reflect the diverse needs of our population.”
Miyagishima will be at least the third Democrat who is running for governor.
Deb Haaland, a former congresswoman and U.S. Interior secretary, and Sam Bregman, the Bernalillo County district attorney, have already announced their candidacies.
Lt. Gov. Howie Morales has said he will decide if he will run by next month.
Miyagishima acknowledged his opponents but emphasized his experience as serving as the mayor of New Mexico’s second biggest city.
“We’ve traveled that path before and witnessed the same unsatisfactory outcomes, consistently ranking low in most areas, except for having one of the highest crime rates in the nation. This must change,” he said.
Miyagishima highlighted his connections with fellow mayors, including Marty Walsh, Mitch Landau, and Pete Buttigieg, who served in the Biden Administration.
Miyagishima said that former President Joe Biden acknowledged that mayors are closest to the communities they serve, skillfully balancing diverse interests with limited resources.
“It’s time to offer another mayor an opportunity,” Miyagishima stated.
For more on Miyagishima’s campaign, you can click here.
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