SANTA FE, N.M. — The race for the Democratic nomination for governor in New Mexico has become increasingly competitive as Ken Miyagishima, the former four-term mayor of Las Cruces, announces his candidacy. He is emphasizing a centrist approach focusing on public safety, affordable housing, and strengthening the state’s health care workforce. Miyagishima aims to succeed Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham when her term ends in 2026, with public concerns mounting over issues such as crime, homelessness, and education challenges.
Among those competing for the Democratic nomination are Deb Haaland, former congresswoman and U.S. Interior Secretary and a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, and Sam Bregman, the District Attorney from Albuquerque and father of MLB star Alex Bregman with the Boston Red Sox. Additionally, Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull has announced plans to start his campaign next month. The primary election is scheduled for June 2026.
Miyagishima, also known as “Mayor Ken,” has established a track record by winning four consecutive mayoral elections in Las Cruces, a city known for its rapid growth, situated near the Upper Rio Grande and surrounded by agricultural landscapes of chili farms and pecan orchards, just 50 miles north of El Paso, Texas. “My last name might sound like an obstacle course,” shared Miyagishima, who is of Japanese and Mexican descent. “But you can trust me to enhance our community’s safety, make housing more affordable, and attract top healthcare professionals to New Mexico.”
The campaign launch was marked by the presence of the mayor of Ciudad Juárez, a city along the Mexican border, highlighting Miyagishima’s priority on coordinated border enforcement and boosting cross-border economic ties. He has also expressed a conditional endorsement for the implementation of the Alien Enemies Act to curb criminal activities, ensuring it does not unfairly target people based on ethnic or national identity. Notably, Miyagishima’s father, born in the U.S., experienced detainment during World War II in a Japanese American internment camp and later served in the U.S. Army.
The Alien Enemies Act was recently wielded by Trump to expedite the deportation of Venezuelans labeled as gang members to a detention facility in El Salvador, amidst legal disputes. “It’s crucial to secure the border. Having a systematic entry process into the U.S. is vital,” Miyagishima told media. “However, designating it as a military zone? I’m unsure about that.”
Miyagishima, who works as a district manager for a prominent insurance company, is promoting his expertise both in public administration and the private sector. If elected, he plans to enhance housing affordability through state-supported loans and expanding the construction workforce, which includes offering vocational training to individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses.
Previously, he opposed New Mexico’s move in 2021 to legalize recreational cannabis. Currently, he advocates for the creation of a state “metro” police force, designed to supplement local law enforcement efforts in cities affected by high crime rates, including Albuquerque.