Ken Miyagishima, former mayor of Las Cruces, announced his candidacy for New Mexico governor in an official campaign video. He said that he is bringing his decades of public service experience to the race, with a focus on affordable housing, healthcare reform, and public safety.
"We deserve better," said Miyagishima, according to Facebook. "I have a plan to reduce the cost of new homes by 25%. I am Ken Miyagishima, and it would be an honor to be your governor for our great state of New Mexico."
According to AP News, Miyagishima's entry into the Democratic primary emphasizes issues such as crime, homelessness, and public education. His campaign prioritizes public safety, affordable housing, and strengthening the state's healthcare workforce.
KOB reports that New Mexico's medical malpractice environment has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the state's physician shortage. Recent legislative changes have inadvertently made the state more attractive for malpractice lawsuits. This has led to increased insurance premiums and prompted some healthcare providers to leave.
The University of New Mexico notes that the Arnold Tool is used in New Mexico's bail reform to assess a defendant's risk level for determining pretrial release conditions. While it aims to reduce bias, critics argue it may not effectively assess risk for first-time offenders, raising concerns about public safety.
Miyagishima is described as a seasoned public servant and entrepreneur with a deep-rooted commitment to New Mexico. Born in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1963, he has lived in Las Cruces since 1971. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Real Estate from New Mexico State University in 1985 and later obtained an MBA from the University of Texas at El Paso.
