LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima has suspended his gubernatorial campaign and announced his endorsement of Republican candidate Gregg Hull, shifting the contours of an increasingly watched statewide contest.
What happened
Miyagishima, who initially sought the Democratic nomination and later filed to run as an independent, said he will not pursue an appeal to the state Supreme Court to remain on the ballot and instead is directing his energy to support Hull. The move hands a high-profile, regionally rooted endorsement to the Republican as he squares off with Democrat Deb Haaland, the former U.S. secretary of the interior.
“I have known Mayor Hull for almost 12 years. He is intelligent, hardworking, and a man of integrity. His record reflects his dedication to the people of both Rio Rancho and New Mexico,” Miyagishima said.
Miyagishima framed his decision as strategic: he said he plans to focus on delivering for southwestern New Mexico and closing gaps in Native American communities by rallying support for Hull in those areas.
Political stakes
The endorsement matters for several reasons. Miyagishima is a long-established figure in southern New Mexico politics, and his switching of support from his former party to a Republican candidate could influence turnout and the geographic distribution of votes in a state where margins can be narrow. Hull characterized the endorsement as evidence of aligned priorities and used it to underscore his campaign message about addressing community challenges and economic issues.
- Regional reach: Miyagishima says he will mobilize voters in southern New Mexico.
- Native outreach: He indicated a focus on Native American communities.
- Ballot status: Miyagishima chose not to pursue a legal appeal to remain on the ballot.
Haaland, the Democratic nominee, remains the principal opponent in the general election. The campaign is likely to see renewed emphasis on outreach in territories where Miyagishima had influence.
What to watch next
Observers will track whether Miyagishima’s supporters follow his lead and how campaigns recalibrate ground operations in southern New Mexico and Native communities. With election season approaching, endorsements that shift party lines could prompt changes in messaging, fundraising and field deployment across the state.
| Candidate | Party | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Gregg Hull | Republican | Endorsed by Miyagishima |
| Deb Haaland | Democrat | General election opponent |
| Ken Miyagishima | Former Democrat/Independent candidate | Withdrew and endorsed Hull |
The endorsement is likely to generate attention in campaign strategy meetings in both parties as they attempt to consolidate or expand their bases ahead of November.
