government
Former Las Cruces Mayor Miyagishima drops independent bid for governor
By Dave Burge at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· July 18, 2026
· 1 min read
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima has ended his independent bid for New Mexico governor and is endorsing the Republican Party nominee. Miyagishima made the announcement on his campaign's social media page on Friday, July 17. He had originally started running as a De...
Key takeaway Miyagishima made the announcement on his campaign's social media page on Friday, July 17.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The decision by former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima to drop his independent bid for New Mexico governor has implications for the border region, including El Paso . As a neighboring city, Las Cruces and El Paso have long-standing economic and cultural ties, and the governor's race in New Mexico can impact policies affecting the entire region. Miyagishima's endorsement of the Republican Party nominee may influence voters in southern New Mexico, including those in Dona Ana County who frequently interact with El Paso residents. The shift in Miyagishima's campaign also reflects the complexities of New Mexico politics, where independents and Democrats often play significant roles. El Pasoans will be watching how this development affects the governor's race and potential policies on issues like border security, trade, and environmental protection, all of which have direct consequences for the El Paso community.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima has ended his independent bid for New Mexico governor and is endorsing the Republican Party nominee. Miyagishima made the announcement on his campaign's social media page on Friday, July 17. He had originally started running as a De...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dave Burge at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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