Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima weighing bid for governor

Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima could become the second candidate to join New Mexico’s 2026 gubernatorial race, saying Thursday he has launched an exploratory committee to test the waters for a potential campaign.

Miyagishima, a pro-business Democrat, said his managerial experience would give him an edge over Deb Haaland, the former U.S. Interior secretary who announced her campaign this month and whose campaign has already raised more than $1 million in contributions.

But he acknowledged he would likely not be able to out raise Haaland, who election observers have described as the early front-runner in the race to succeed Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

“I know I’m going to raise the necessary funds to run a competitive race,” Miyagishima said Thursday, adding he plans to decide whether to run by the end of May.

Miyagishima, who works in the insurance industry, served as mayor of Las Cruces from 2007 through 2022. He was previously a Doña Ana County commissioner and Las Cruces city councilor.

As mayor, he at times disagreed with more progressive city councilors, such as when he opposed a plan to legalize recreational cannabis for adult users. The state began allowing commercial cannabis sales in 2022 after lawmakers approved legislation a year earlier.

Miyagishima did not seek reelection as mayor in 2022 and has not sought elected office since.

“New Mexicans have elected me 11 times in the past 30 years, 11 times in public office. And I feel that the knowledge that I have, I believe that I can make their lives just a little bit better,” Miyagishima said.

He said he was drawn to New Mexico’s open race for governor due to a belief he could bring a pragmatic, plan-based approach to the state’s top executive office.

“I just really believe that I can change the environment in New Mexico,” Miyagishima said.

He said he believes Lujan Grisham has “done her best” as governor over the last six-plus years, but said he would do things 90% differently due to his background.

Specifically, he said he would invest much of New Mexico’s oil-fueled revenue surplus back to state residents, citing a plan for targeted financial aid to elderly New Mexicans who rely on Social Security benefits.

He also indicated on a website for his exploratory committee that he would push to allow New Mexico police officers, firefighters and correctional officers to retire with benefits after 15 years on the job. Such a policy could make those jobs more popular but would likely also put more strain on the state’s pension system for public employees.

In addition to Haaland and Miyagishima, other Democrats could enter New Mexico’s race for governor in the coming months. Among other possible candidates, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman has not ruled out a possible campaign.

No Republicans have announced campaigns for next year’s race.