Ken Miyagishima

Kenneth Daniel Gallegos Miyagishima (born May 15, 1963) is an American businessman and politician who served as the mayor of Las Cruces, New Mexico from 2007 to 2023. Miyagishima was the first New Mexican of Japanese descent to be elected to public office and the longest-serving mayor of the city.

He was among three Democratic Party candidates who has declared his intent to run for governor of New Mexico in 2026, but chose to become an independent in February of that year, before ultimately withdrawing and endorsing the Republican nominee.

Early life and education Miyagishima was born in Biloxi, Mississippi. His father is of Mexican descent and his mother of Japanese descent, and he has said both cultures are important to him. He has lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico since his family moved there in 1971, when he was a child. Both his father and older brother served in the military during the Vietnam War.

Miyagishima attended public schools throughout childhood. In 1985 he graduated from New Mexico State University with degrees in finance and real estate. From 1998 through 2000, he was voted "Best County Commissioner" in a local newspaper readers' poll. In 2002, he received the Commander's Award for Public Service from the United States Department of the Army.

Miyagishima was elected to the non-partisan city council of Las Cruces. He won re-election to the city council in 2005.

Miyagishima was elected as the mayor of Las Cruces in 2007 and was reelected in 2011, 2015, and 2019. He is the second person in Doña Ana County to have been elected both chairman of the Doña Ana County Commission and mayor of Las Cruces.

In August 2013, Miyagishima unsuccessfully applied to become Doña Ana County Manager.

In office, Miyagishima was known as a pro-business Democrat, occasionally clashing with a more progressive city council. After Bloomberg dropped out of the race, Miyagishima endorsed Joe Biden.

He was opposed to cannabis legalization and bail reform during his time as mayor. He did support a humanitarian response to migrants settling in the city. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Eric Enriquez.

During his tenure as mayor, Miyagishima oversaw the building of city hall, the convention center, and an Aquatic Center. The city prioritized downtown revitalization. In reflecting on his term of office, he stated he was most proud of raising graduation rates.

Later in July that year, he announced he was withdrawing from the race and endorsing Republican nominee Gregg Hull for the general election.

Personal life Ken married Rosario Rodriguez. They have four grown children together: Danielle, John, Frank, and Carlos.