Ken Miyagishima, a former four-term mayor of Las Cruces, has officially announced his candidacy for governor of New Mexico. His campaign centers on enhancing public safety, expanding affordable housing, and strengthening the state's healthcare workforce.
Seeking to succeed Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is term-limited and will leave office at the end of 2026, Miyagishima addresses pressing issues that concern many New Mexicans, including rising crime rates, homelessness, and challenges in public education.
The Democratic primary is shaping up to be competitive. Other prominent candidates include former congresswoman and U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, as well as Albuquerque District Attorney Sam Bregman. Additionally, Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull has announced plans to start campaigning next month. The primary election is scheduled for June 2026.
During his tenure as mayor, Miyagishima earned a reputation for leadership in the growing university city of Las Cruces, situated near the Rio Grande, approximately 50 miles north of El Paso, Texas. Reflecting on his diverse heritage—being of Japanese and Mexican descent—he said, "Sure, my last name, it sounds like an obstacle course, but trust me to make our community safer, make housing more attainable, and bring the best doctors back to New Mexico."
Miyagishima’s campaign emphasizes the importance of orderly border enforcement and economic collaboration, highlighted by the presence of Ciudad Juarez's mayor, a Mexican border city neighbor, at his announcement event. He also expressed cautious support for applying the Alien Enemies Act to combat criminal activities, while underscoring the need to avoid unfair treatment based on heritage or nationality.
Miyagishima’s personal history is marked by his US-born father’s experience being detained as a child during World War II in a Japanese American incarceration camp, followed by military service in the US Army. On border security, Miyagishima advocates for regulated and orderly entry into the United States but remains uncertain about militarizing the border.
Currently working as a district manager for a major insurance company, Miyagishima points to his expertise in government finance and private sector management. He proposes to enhance housing affordability through state-backed loans and to expand the construction workforce—including providing vocational training opportunities for individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses.
While Miyagishima opposed New Mexico's 2021 legalization of recreational cannabis, he currently advocates for establishing a state-level "metro" police force to support local law enforcement in crime-affected cities like Albuquerque.
