Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima Wins Reelection
Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima started the evening with a comfortable lead over challengers Dolores Connor and Michael Huerta. The first results of the evening put him at 56% with 148 votes, followed by Dolores Connor with 88 votes. Newcomer Huerta had 30 votes.
His lead increased to 59%, with 2,697 votes over Connor’s 1,331 (29%) and Huerta’s 547 (12%).
“My main campaign focus is to let people know that the direction we have set over the past four years will continue,” Miyagishima told ABC-7 during the campaign. That direction, he said, includes “careful financial stewardship and strong economic development, enhanced public safety, important improvements in our quality of life, a good balance in the city’s growth and development, and an atmosphere of openness and transparency in city government.”
Miyagishima has been a county commissioner and city councilor before being elected Las Cruces mayor four years ago.
Connor has worked with Miyagishima during her eight years as councilor. She hopes to take the lead from him to become the first female mayor in Las Cruces.
“I am the most knowledgeable of City business,” said Connor. “I do my homework and take pride in casting informed votes on City Council.”
Huerta has tried to separate himself from his opponents by highlighting he is not a career politician. The 25-yaer-old told ABC-7 “I have the youth, energy and experience to effectively lobby on behalf of Las Crucens. I am also best qualified to communicate the needs, opportunities and resources of our city.”
Stay with ABC-7 for updates on the Las Cruces Mayoral Election.
