Ken Miyagishima

Ken Miyagishima

Democratic Party

Candidate, Governor of New Mexico

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 3, 2026

Education

High school

Las Cruces High School

Bachelor's

New Mexico State University, 1985

Graduate

University of Texas at El Paso, 2021

Personal

Religion

Christian: Catholic

Profession

Adjunct professor

Contact

Campaign website

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Personal Facebook

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Ken Miyagishima (Democratic Party) is running for election for Governor of New Mexico. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.^[source]

Miyagishima completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Ken Miyagishima earned a high school diploma from Las Cruces High School. Miyagishima earned a bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University in 1985 and a graduate degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2021. Miyagishima served as mayor of Las Cruces from 2007 to 2023. His career experience includes working as an adjunct professor.

Miyagishima has been affiliated with the following organizations:

• Latino Leaders Network
• National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)
• Hispanic Chambers of Commerce in ABQ and Las Cruces
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) - Life Member
• Black Chamber of Commerce in ABQ
• Japanese American Citizen's League (JACL)
• National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
• Financial Planning Association (FPA)
• Financial Management Association International (FMA)
• National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)

Elections

2026

See also: New Mexico gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for Governor of New Mexico

Sam Bregman, Debra Haaland, and Ken Miyagishima are running in the general election for Governor of New Mexico on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Sam Bregman (D)
		Debra Haaland (D)
		Ken Miyagishima (D)

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Ken Miyagishima completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Miyagishima's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a husband, father of 4, college professor @ NMSU, business owner of 30+ years, longest serving Mayor of Las Cruces, I did not seek re-election in 2023 so I could become a candidate for Governor of New Mexico in the 2026 Democratic Primary.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I want to eliminate the Arnold Tool Assessment, I believe this is responsible for “Catch and Release”. I believe once this is removed, our judges can use their discretion to keep or release alleged perpetrators.
• I want to stop the loss of doctors leaving New Mexico. I want to help pass legislation that would place a “cap” on Medical malpractice insurance rates. Malpractice insurance is the main cause of doctors leaving the state. Trial lawyers have organizations that “fund” their candidates who are malpractice attorneys and prevent meaningful legislation from being discussed and passed.
• I have a plan that will reduce the price of housing construction by 25%. The state can partner with contractors to construct and sell these homes at a reduced rate. We can then use this opportunity to help recruit various professionals such as: police officers, firefighters and corrections officers. I want to also use this opportunity to help recruit teachers and licensed medical professionals. Furthermore, I want to also extend this opportunity to eligible members of our Native American communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Besides stopping the exodus of doctors leaving our state. My other goals are to lift New Mexico out of the bottom of various lists such as: poverty, education, childhood development, drug and alcohol dependency. I also want to remove our state from the top of the list when it comes to crime.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My father, Mike K. Miyagishima, Medal of Honor recipient, Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura. Former U.S. Army General Colin Powell and retired U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis. These are brave men, who also have honor, intelligence and loyalty.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Michael Smerconish Podcast, he’s not left, nor right, but in the middle of mainstream politics.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

To serve the public in a honorable and responsible manner and uphold the public’s trust.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I will ask the public to view my past 30 years in office, I upheld the public’s trust and made government work. I will continue to do the same as Governor of New Mexico.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To ensure our residents are safe, have access to proper healthcare and have the necessary means to live a comfortable life. Such as reducing the costs of housing, necessities amenities, goods and services.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I made New Mexico a leader in innovation, technology and prosperity. That I was able to lift New Mexicans out of poverty and provide good paying jobs that allows our citizens to live the best lives they can.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was elected to office as a Doña Ana County Commissioner in November 1992.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I subcontracted work from an employee at Winchell’s Donuts when I was 11 years old. I made 50 cents an hour and all
of the donuts I could eat.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Rocky, because it’s about an underdog who doesn’t give up.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

The Green Hornet

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder and Winning by Santana

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Teaching people how to say my last name.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

To promote and pass legislation that protects our residents that allows them to experience all of the good that New Mexico has to offer.

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

Balancing a budget that includes reserve monies for contingencies and emergencies are of the utmost importance.

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

I respect the philosophy of President Abraham Lincoln’s phrase of: "government of the people, by the people, for the people". I respect a legislators prerogative to introduce and pass legislation as long as it is in the best interests of New Mexico. If isn’t in her best interest, then I will veto it.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The legislature will be my board of directors. I plan to meet regularly with those who can and choose to meet with me.

What do you love most about your state?

The people, they are kind hearted, generous, fun and most important, very open minded.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Federal monies being cut from Medicaid, and other federal programs.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Why don't elephants use computers? Because they're afraid of the mouse.

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

There will be two types: Obviously for immediate or imminent danger. The other would be a serious health crisis.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I have not asked for any endorsements.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe in financial transparency, these are the public’s funds and must be used to the highest degree of responsibility.

Government responsibility is a core responsibility and must be upheld to the utmost ability of the office holder.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

I would like to have the Arnold Tool Assessment on the ballot to be removed. This would give our judges full discretion to release or keep alleged perpetrators in confinement.

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean to you?

It means we must always put the public’s best interests in front of our own. We must assure the public that this office is used to make their lives and their families lives the best it can be. We must protect the residents to the best of our ability from crime, natural disasters, and criminal elements that could harm their daily lives.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.

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