Ken Miyagishima
Mayor of Las Cruces
In office
2007–2023
Preceded byBill Mattiace
Succeeded byEric Enriquez
Personal details
Born
Kenneth Daniel Gallegos Miyagishima

(1963-05-15) May 15, 1963
Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRosie
Children4
Residence(s)Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.
EducationNew Mexico State University (BS)
Website[1]

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.[2] In 2023, after serving for 16 years, he stepped down, and was succeeded by Eric Enriquez.[3]

Early life and education

Miyagishima was born in Biloxi, Mississippi. He is of both Mexican and Japanese descent. He has lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico since 1971. He attended public schools and in 1985 graduated from New Mexico State University with degrees in finance and real estate. [1]

Career

In 1984, Miyagishima began his insurance and financial services business while still in college.

In 1992, he became New Mexico's first American of Japanese descent to be elected to public office. 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 won re-election to the city council in 2005. Miyagishima is the first American of Japanese and Mexican descent to be elected mayor of Las Cruces. He is also 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.[4]

In 2019, Miyagishima was re-elected to his fourth term as mayor of Las Cruces.[5][6][7]

In the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Miyagishima was one of several mayors to pledge support for Michael Bloomberg.[8] After Bloomberg dropped out of the race, Miyagishima endorsed Joe Biden.[9]

Miyagishima announced in 2022 that he would not seek a fifth term as mayor.[10]

Personal life

Ken is married to Rosario Miyagishima (née Rodriguez), and they have four children.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 "Mayor Ken Miyagishima | Las Cruces, NM". www.las-cruces.org. Archived from the original on 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  2. ↑ Catlin, Nick (2023-12-18). "Las Cruces mayor steps down from role after 16 years, 4 terms". KOAT. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  3. ↑ Rodriguez, Vince (2023-11-07). "Dona Ana County Local Election Results 2023". KOAT. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  4. ↑ "Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima nixed as next Doña Ana County manager". Las Cruces Sun-News. September 25, 2013. Archived from the original on April 23, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  5. ↑ D'Ammassa, Algernon. "Mayor Ken Miyagishima wins reelection". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  6. ↑ Bureau, Angela Kocherga | Journal Staff Writer-Las Cruces. "Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima wins reelection". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  7. ↑ Hernandez, Michael. "Mayor Ken Miyagishima, Residents Share Prime Concerns for Las Cruces". www.krwg.org. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  8. ↑ McDevitt, Michael. "Mayor Ken Miyagishima supports Bloomberg for president, will attend campaign event in NYC". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  9. ↑ "55 Mayors Endorse Joe Biden for President". 2020 Presidential Campaign Blog. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  10. ↑ Cook, Mike (2022-11-03). "Mayor won't seek re-election to fifth term". Las Cruces Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  11. ↑ "Ken Miyagishima – Las Cruces Academy". Retrieved 2020-10-05.
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