Former Las Cruces Mayor contemplating run for New Mexico governor
Former longtime Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima is contemplating a run for governor of New Mexico.
In a news release on Feb. 27, 2025, Miyagishima, 61, announced he formed an "exploratory committee" for the 2026 election. Miyagishima told the Sun-News he would determine if he would run by May and that a potential run would be in the New Mexico Democratic Party.
Miyagishima said his committee of six or seven people have been working on a potential run for the past two years and that he will expand the committee to include folks throughout the state.
Deb Haaland, a Democrat and former Interior Secretary and New Mexico congresswoman, announced her intent to run for Governor earlier in February. On his website, Miyagishima acknowledged Haaland's announcement, stating, "We love Deb Haaland don't get us wrong, we hope for huge things for her, but she's not the right person for this moment, in this place."
Miyagishima was the Las Cruces Mayor for 16 years, stepping down prior to the 2023 municipal election with Eric Enriquez winning the election to replace him. He previously held elected positions as Doña Ana County Commissioner and Las Cruces City Councilor. He lost a state race for the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1990 to Republican Leonard Rawson.
Miyagishima oversaw historical population growth in Las Cruces during his mayoral stint. He also managed the city's response amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
He is currently an adjunct finance professor at New Mexico State University.
Miyagishima has lived in Las Cruces since 1971 and graduated from New Mexico State University in 1985.
"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served as mayor, and to make a difference in our community," Miyagishima said in a news release. "Now, I am ready to take that experience, and those lessons learned to a broader platform. This exploratory committee will allow me to engage with New Mexicans, including our elected officials, hear their concerns, and explore how I can best serve as governor."
On his website, Miyagishima touts a platform that includes housing, retirement, healthcare, education reform, economic opportunities, crime reduction, homelessness, generational wealth creation, and sustainable development.
The exploratory committee will be composed of policy experts and volunteers, according to a news release. The committee's mission is to connect with residents across the state to discuss critical issues. Miyagishima plans to hold a series of town hall meetings in the coming months, which will be available in both in-person and virtual formats.
"I am excited about the opportunity to connect with people from all corners of our state and to discuss the vision we can create together," Miyagishima said in a release. "Leadership is about listening and responding to the needs of our communities, and I am committed to doing just that. I have dedicated my life to serving our community, and I am enthusiastic about the potential to expand that service to the entire state of New Mexico."
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Ken Miyagishima contemplating run for New Mexico governor
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San Francisco Chronicle
32 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Authorities still searching for suspect in shooting of 2 Minnesota state lawmakers
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Authorities had not given any details on a possible motive as of Saturday night. Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other. The attacks prompted warnings to other state elected officials and the cancellation of planned 'No Kings' demonstrations against President Donald Trump, though some went ahead anyway. Authorities said the suspect had 'No Kings' flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets. A Minnesota official told AP the suspect's writings also contained information targeting prominent lawmakers who have been outspoken in favor of abortion rights. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing. Law enforcement agents recovered several AK-style firearms from the suspect's vehicle, and he was believed to still be armed with a pistol, a person familiar with the matter told AP. The person could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated amid deep political divisions. 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,' said Walz, a Democrat. He also ordered flags to fly at half-staff in Hortman's honor. 'Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!' President Donald Trump said in a statement. Exchange of gunfire Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 a.m., Champlin police said, and found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds. After seeing who the victims were, police sent officers to proactively check on Hortman's home. There they encountered what appeared to be a police vehicle and a man dressed as an officer at the door, leaving the house. 'When officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home' and escaped on foot, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. Multiple bullet holes could be seen in the front door of Hoffman's home. John and Yvette Hoffman each underwent surgery, according to Walz. Two Democrats targeted Hortman, 55, had been the top Democratic leader in the state House since 2017. She led Democrats in a three-week walkout at the beginning of this year's session in a power struggle with Republicans. Under a power sharing agreement, she turned the gavel over to Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth and assumed the title speaker emerita. Hortman used her position as speaker in 2023 to champion expanded protections for abortion rights, including legislation to solidify Minnesota's status as a refuge for patients from restrictive states who travel to the state to seek abortions — and to protect providers who serve them. Walz called her a 'formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota." Hortman and her husband had two adult children. The initial autopsy reports from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office gave their cause of death as 'multiple gunshot wounds.' The reports said Melissa Hortman died at the scene while her husband was pronounced dead at the hospital. Hoffman, 60, was first elected in 2012 and was chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, which oversees one of the biggest parts of the state budget. He and his wife have one daughter. The suspect Boelter was appointed to the workforce development board in 2016 and then reappointed in 2019 to a four-year term that expired in 2023, state records show. Corporate records show Boelter's wife filed to create a company called Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC with the same Green Isle mailing address listed for the couple. Boelter's wife is listed as president and CEO and he is listed as director of security patrols on the company's website. The website says the company provides armed security for property and events and features a photo of an SUV painted in a two-tone black and silver pattern similar to a police vehicle. Another photo shows a man in black tactical gear with a military-style helmet and a ballistic vest. An online resume says Boelter is a security contractor who has worked in the Middle East and Africa, in addition to past managerial roles at companies in Minnesota. Around 6 a.m., Boelter texted friends to say he had 'made some choices,' the Minnesota Star Tribune reported. In the messages, read to reporters by David Carlson, Boelter did not specify what he had done but said: 'I'm going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn't gone this way. … I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused.' Political violence Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack 'evil' and said she was 'heartbroken beyond words' by the killings. The shootings are the latest in a series of attacks against lawmakers across parties. In April a suspect set fire to the home of Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, forcing him and his family to flee during the Jewish holiday of Passover. The suspect said he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he found him, according to court documents. In July 2024, Trump was grazed on the ear by one of a hail of bullets that killed a Trump supporter. Two months later a man with a rifle was discovered near the president's Florida golf course and arrested. Other incidents include a 2022 hammer attack on the husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in their San Francisco home and a 2020 plot by anti-government extremists to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and start a civil war. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he asked Capitol Police to 'immediately increase security' for Minnesota Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. He also asked Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, to hold a briefing on member security. ___
Hamilton Spectator
4 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Military parade barrels through DC as ‘No Kings' protesters across US decry Trump
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The team had been scheduled to jump at the end of the parade, but appeared in the drizzly skies above the National Mall far earlier than planned. At times, Trump stood and saluted as troops marched past the reviewing stand. But attendance appeared to fall far short of early predictions that as many as 200,000 people would attend the festival and parade. There were large gaps between viewers near the Washington Monument on a day when steamy weather and the threat of thunderstorms could have dampened turnout. Hours before the parade started, demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to sound off against the Republican president. They criticized Trump for using the military to respond to people protesting his deportation efforts and for the muscular military show in the U.S. capital. Trump had brushed off the possibility of weather or protest disruptions. In a social media post Saturday morning, he said the 'great military parade' would be on 'rain or shine.' The protests, he said earlier, 'will be met with very big force.' The daylong display of America's Army came as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the U.S. Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments. As armored vehicles rolled down the street in front of the president, on the other side of the country, the Marines who Trump deployed to Los Angeles appeared at a demonstration for the first time, standing guard outside a federal building. Dozens of Marines stood shoulder to shoulder in full combat gear beside the National Guard, Homeland Security officers and other law enforcement. Hundreds of protesters facing them jeered in English and Spanish, telling the troops to go home. 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Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who voted for Trump, attended the daylong festival to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, but said the parade 'was a little over the top.' Pointing at a nearby tank, Haynes said that having them roll down the street is a 'very bold statement to the world, perhaps.' The parade was added just two months ago to the long-planned celebration of the Army's birthday and has drawn criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets. The Army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates along the route. About 6 in 10 Americans said Saturday's parade was 'not a good use' of government money. The vast majority of people, 78%, said they neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research . Kathy Straus traveled from Richmond, Virginia, to attend the parade, carrying a sign criticizing its cost and arguing the money could have been used to feed veterans. 'I thought that it would be more effective to come here than go to a protest with people that think similar to me,' said Straus. The parade wound down Constitution Avenue, lined with security fencing and barriers. A flyover of military aircraft included World War II-era planes, including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, and Army helicopters flew low over the crowd, below the top of the Washington Monument. Mounted soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division made an appearance — horses once played a crucial role in warfare, but today they're mostly used in ceremonial events like today's parade. Trump swore in 250 new recruits and returning soldiers into service, with soldiers repeating an oath after him. 'Welcome to the United States Army! And have a great life,' Trump said to them afterward. The night also was to include a concert featuring 'God Bless the U.S.A.' singer Lee Greenwood and fireworks. ____ Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Michelle L. Price, Nathan Ellgren, Lea Skene, Olivia Diaz, Joey Cappelletti, Ashraf Khalil and Tara Copp contributed to this report. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Hill
4 hours ago
- The Hill
Fetterman: Military parade comprised of ‘the verbest of us'
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said that President Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, is comprised of the 'best of us' and that it should be celebrated regardless of where one might stand on the political spectrum. 'This parade is comprised of our sons, daughters, mothers and fathers—the very best of us,' Fetterman wrote in a Saturday post on social media platform X. 'Regardless of your politics, it's appropriate to celebrate the 250 years of sacrifice, dedication and service.' Fetterman demonstrated rare Democratic support for the parade that is taking place on Trump's 79th birthday. The parade has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over the expected cost of the festivities, projected to be between $25 and $45 million. 'We're a lion, and a lion doesn't have to tell you it's a lion,' Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said on Tuesday. 'I would save the money, but if the president wants to have a parade, he's the president, and I'm not.' Most GOP senators said they would skip the parade. Other Republicans in Congress, like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) and Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), are in attendance at the military parade, the first one to be held in Washington in 34 years. Fetterman has in recent months broken with his caucus on a few other issues, including on immigration and on his stance regarding Israel's war in the Gaza Strip. The Pennsylvania senator was also the only Democrat to introduce the Laken Riley Act and has criticized the Democratic Party over its response to the protest in Los Angeles against federal immigration raids. 'My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement,' Fetterman wrote on Monday. 'I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration—but this is not that.'
