Ken Miyagishima, a Democratic candidate for Governor of New Mexico, said he released his campaign report early to emphasize transparency, a no-PAC approach, and a $750,000 budget goal.
"I am sharing my campaign report with the media ahead of the deadline to illustrate our commitment to integrity and responsible financial strategy," said Miyagishima, Democratic gubernatorial candidate; former Las Cruces mayor. "Throughout my thirty years as Mayor, City Councilor, and County Commissioner, I have maintained a strict policy of not soliciting or accepting funds from developers or anyone with contracts with the city or county. I believe this practice is essential to avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise my judgment. Consequently, you will not find any campaign contributions from PACs, special interest groups, or businesses that engage with the state in my current campaign. I have always believed that a successful gubernatorial campaign can be run on a budget of $750,000. With the addition of in-kind contributions and our modest cash expenditures, we are already nearly halfway to that goal."
New Mexico's 2026 governor's race is underway with Democrats including former Las Cruces mayor Ken Miyagishima competing to succeed term-limited Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. The field also features prominent figures such as former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Albuquerque District Attorney Sam Bregman. The Democratic primary is scheduled for June 2026, and campaigns have begun promoting messages on public safety, housing, and health workforce expansion as they seek voter support statewide.
According to the state's campaign finance calendar, New Mexico requires a mid-October reporting milestone for candidate committees in odd-numbered years. For 2025, the Second Biannual Report is due on October 14, covering contributions and expenditures through the reporting period. Compliance applies across candidate, party, Political Action Committee (PAC), and independent expenditure committees, with filings made via the state’s Campaign Finance Information System (CFIS) portal to ensure public access and transparency in political finance disclosures.
Fundraising dynamics in the 2026 Democratic primary illustrate the scale Miyagishima references. Reporting in June 2025 noted that Deb Haaland raised about $3.7 million by May from roughly 51,000 donations, while Sam Bregman surpassed $1 million, indicating a high-dollar environment. Miyagishima’s $750,000 budget benchmark frames a leaner operation focused on transparency amid larger-scale efforts by other contenders.
Miyagishima served four terms as mayor of Las Cruces from 2007 to 2023 following earlier service as a city councilor and Doña Ana County commissioner. A Democrat and longtime private-sector professional, he launched a bid for governor for the 2026 cycle after leaving the mayor’s office. He positions himself as an experienced municipal executive with centrist priorities on public safety, housing, and fiscal management.
