Ken Miyagishima, 67, is the former longtime mayor of Las Cruces (2007-2023) and a business owner. Known as 'Mayor Ken' during his four terms, Miyagishima announced his gubernatorial campaign as a Democrat in May 2025 but switched to run as an independent on February 2, 2026, less than 24 hours before the filing deadline for the Democratic primary. He has self-funded his campaign with approximately $250,000 in contributions and is seeking either Independent status or Forward Party nomination to reduce signature requirements for the general election ballot.
Ken Miyagishima was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, to a father of Mexican descent and mother of Japanese descent. He has been a longtime Las Cruces resident and served as the longest-serving mayor of the city from 2007-2023. He was reelected in 2011, 2015, and 2019. During his tenure as mayor, he was known as a pro-business moderate Democrat who occasionally clashed with more progressive city council members. He has worked in business as a district manager for Farmers Insurance. Miyagishima shifted to an independent candidacy for governor in February 2026 after struggling to collect the 2,000 required Democratic primary signatures despite more than a year of campaigning.