Democratic gubernatorial field whittled down, as Miyagishima says he'll run as independent

SANTA FE — On the day before New Mexico candidates are required to formally file their campaigns, one of the three Democrats vying for governor announced he would run instead as an independent.

The decision by former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima leaves two Democrats — former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bernalillo County district attorney Sam Bregman — competing in the June primary election.

Miyagishima, who announced his campaign for governor in May 2025, said Monday on social media he made the decision due to a focus on "results, not party labels."

He said in a subsequent interview the decision would not change his priorities, which include tackling crime, education and changes to the state's medical malpractice laws.

"I just didn't think the primary (election) was the right place to have the conversations I wanted to have," said Miyagishima, who said many Democratic voters are focused on President Donald Trump's administration and the latest happenings in Washington D.C.

The decision to run as an independent will require Miyagishima to start over on collecting verified voter signatures. As an independent, he'll also have to submit a larger amount of signatures in order to qualify for the general election ballot.

A spokesman for Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver's office said Monday the exact number of signatures required for independent and minor party candidates will be finalized next month.

However, running as an independent could also allow Miyagishima — and other independent candidates — to appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot without having to win a major party's nomination.

He also said he would considering running as the nominee for the Forward Party, a recently-created political party, if that party secures minor party status this year.

At the time of his party switch announcement, Miyagishima was trailing far behind his two Democratic rivals in campaign fundraising. 

Since launching their campaigns, Haaland has reported raising nearly $7 million while Bregman has reported taking in roughly $3.2 million, according to reports filed in October. For his part, Miyagihima reported about $323,000 in contributions, which includes a $50,000 personal loan.

Miyagishima, who has not accepted donations from political committees, special interest groups or businesses with state contracts, said Monday the fundraising disadvantage was not a driving factor in his decision to switch parties.

He also said he officially changed his own party affiliation last week. 

The percentage of independents, or those who decline to state a political affiliation, has steadily increased in New Mexico in recent years. As of last month, there were more than 358,000 independents around the state who made up more than 25% of all registered voters, according to Secretary of State's Office data.

Under a new law signed last year, independents will also be able to vote in this year's June primary election without having to change their party affiliation. 

Widely known as "Mayor Ken" during his four terms as mayor of Las Cruces, Miyagishima sought to portray himself as a business-friendly Democrat while in office and opposed the state's push to legalize adult-use cannabis sales. 

He said Monday he had "basically governed like an independent" as mayor, since such municipal offices are not decided by partisan elections in New Mexico.

Now free of a political affiliation, Miyagishima said he plans to continue that approach on the campaign trail over the next 10 months.

"I've got one shot, and this is the best shot to get the word out," he said.

Dan Boyd covers state government and politics for the Journal in Santa Fe. Follow him on X at @DanBoydNM or reach him via email at dboyd@abqjournal.com.