Four-time mayor from border region joins race for governor of New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Competition for the Democratic nomination for governor in New Mexico is heating up as former four-term Las Cruces mayor Ken Miyagishima launched a campaign with a centrist focus on public safety, affordable housing and efforts to shore up the state's health care workforce.
Miyagishima hopes to succeed Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham as she terms out of office at the end of 2026 amid public frustration with crime, homelessness and public education.
The Democratic nomination also is being sought by former congresswoman and U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a tribal member of Laguna Pueblo, as well as Albuquerque-based District Attorney Sam Bregman, the father of Major League Baseball star Alex Bregman of the Boston Red Sox. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull says he will begin campaigning for governor next month. The primary election takes place in June 2026.
Miyagishima won four consecutive elections as 'Mayor Ken" in a fast-growing state university town, set on the Upper Rio Grande amid chili farms and pecan orchards, 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of El Paso, Texas, and the southern U.S. border.
'Sure, my last name, it sounds like an obstacle course,' said Miyagishima, who is of Japanese and Mexican heritage. 'But ... trust me to make our community safer, make housing more attainable and bring the best doctors back to New Mexico."
The mayor of the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juárez attended Tuesday's campaign announcement, as Miyagishima emphasizes orderly border enforcement and economic cooperation.
At the same time, Miyagishima has voiced qualified support for invoking the Alien Enemies Act to address criminal activity — without unjustly targeting people based on heritage or national background. His U.S.-born father was detained as a child at a World War II incarceration camp for Japanese Americans — and went on to serve in the U.S. Army.
Trump has used the 18th century wartime law to swiftly deport Venezuelans accused of being gang members to a prison in El Salvador, amid court challenges.
'I support protecting the border. I think it's important to have an orderly way to come into the U.S.,' he told The Associated Press. 'To make it a military zone? I don't know.'
Miyagishima, a district manager for a major insurance company, is touting his know-how in government finances and the private sector. If elected governor, Miyagishima said he hopes to make housing more affordable through state-backed loans and an expansion of the construction workforce, including vocational training for people convicted of nonviolent crimes.
He opposed the state's decision in 2021 to legalize recreational cannabis, and now is proposing creation of a state 'metro' police force to augment the capabilities of local law enforcement in crime-torn cities including Albuquerque.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Trump Tells German Chancellor D-Day Was 'Not A Pleasant Day For You'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that D-Day—the day Allied forces invaded Normandy, France, during World War II—was "not a great day" for Germany. What To Know Trump made his comments while he and Merz spoke to reporters during Merz's White House visit on Thursday. Merz pointed out that the anniversary of D-Day is on Friday, saying it was when "the Americans ... ended the war in Europe." "That was not a pleasant day for you," Trump responded. "No, that was not a pleasant—well—" Merz began before Trump interjected. "This was not a great day," Trump said. Merz cut in: "In the long run, Mr. President, this was the liberation of my country from Nazi dictatorship." "That's true," Trump said. Merz went on to say that "we know what we owe you," adding that the U.S. can play a similarly crucial role in bringing an end to Russia's war against Ukraine. "America is, again, in a very strong position to do something on this war and ending this war, so let's talk about what we can do jointly," the German chancellor said. "We are ready to do what we can and you know that we gave support to Ukraine and that we are looking for more pressure on Russia ... we should talk about that." MERZ: Tomorrow is the D Day anniversary, when the Americans ended a war in Europe TRUMP: That was not a pleasant day for you? This is not a great day MERZ: This was the liberation of my country from Nazi dictatorship — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 5, 2025 President Donald Trump, right, meets Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Washington. President Donald Trump, right, meets Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Arrest made in theft of instruments stolen from the rock band Heart at New Jersey venue
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Authorities have made an arrest in the theft of two irreplaceable instruments owned by members of the rock band Heart that were stolen from a venue in New Jersey last weekend. Atlantic City police say surveillance video initially led them to a 57-year-old Pleasantville man. He was later seen on video walking through various parts of the city, trying to sell the instruments, and he eventually sold one while the other remains unaccounted for, police said, declining further comment. The man has been charged with burglary and theft. The band was set to kick off the An Evening With Heart tour at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on Saturday, and its gear had been set up there the day prior to the show. Among the items stolen were a custom-built, purple sparkle baritone Telecaster guitar with a hand-painted headstock made for band member Nancy Wilson, and a vintage 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin that band member Paul Moak has played for over 25 years. 'These instruments are more than just tools of our trade — they're extensions of our musical souls,' Nancy Wilson said in a statement issued by the group that also offered a reward for information leading to their return. 'We're heartbroken, and we're asking for their safe return— no questions asked. Their value to us is immeasurable.' Heart is led by Wilson and her sister, Ann, who have made music together since the '70s and have had hits like 'Magic Man,' 'Crazy on You' and 'Alone.' The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers were honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2023.
The Hill
30 minutes ago
- The Hill
Trump and Musk's relationship flames out just as it started, intensely and publicly
WASHINGTON (AP) — The breakup between the president of the United States and the world's richest man is unfurling much like their relationship started — rapidly, intensely and very publicly. As President Donald Trump sat in the Oval Office on Thursday with Germany's leader at his side, he lamented his soured relationship with Elon Musk, his adviser-turned-social media antagonist. Trump said he was 'very disappointed' with Musk after the billionaire former backer lambasted the president's signature bill of tax cuts and spending plans. Trump suggested Musk, who left the government last month after spearheading the tumultuous Department of Government Efficiency, misses being in the White House and has 'Trump derangement syndrome.' 'He hasn't said bad about me personally, but I'm sure that will be next,' Trump said. 'But I'm very disappointed in Elon. I've helped Elon a lot.' Observers had long wondered if the friendship between the two brash billionaires known for lobbing insults online would flame out in spectacular fashion. It did, in less than a year. 'Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don't know if we will anymore,' Trump said. He said that he had helped Musk a lot and brushed aside the billionaire's efforts to get him elected last year, claiming that he would have won closely contested Pennsylvania even without Musk's help, which included spending at least $250 million supporting his campaign. The Republican president's comments came as Musk has continued a storm of social media posts attacking Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' and warning it will increase the federal deficit. Musk has called Trump's big tax break bill a 'disgusting abomination.' As Trump spoke to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Musk was watching. 'False,' he fired back on his social media platform as the president continued speaking. 'This bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!' Trump said Musk, the CEO and founder of Tesla, 'only developed a problem' with the bill because it rolls back tax credits for electric vehicles. 'Whatever,' Musk snapped back in a post on X responding to a video clip of the moment. He went on and said Trump could keep the cuts but should 'ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill.' The bill would unleash trillions of dollars in tax cuts and slash spending but also spike deficits by $2.4 trillion over a decade and leave some 10.9 million more people without health insurance, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, which for decades has served as the official scorekeeper of legislation in Congress.
