Can a gubernatorial candidate with a 30 year track record do an ethnic rebrand to make himself more competitive?

Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima, 62, is trying and comes with this eyebrow raising newspaper ad that for the first time identifies him as Ken "Gallegos" Miyagishima.

Miyagishima has long been known as a successful Japanese-American politician. His electoral success goes back to1992 when he was elected to the Dona Ana County Commission. He served as a popular Las Cruces Mayor from 2007 to 2023.

Now as a candidate in the June '26  Dem Guv primary he is seeking a broader profile as he competes against well-known contenders Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman.  

The name change could be seen as a long-shot play from a long-shot candidate. Miyagishima has not been competitive with his fund-raising. 

Hispanic voters are plentiful in Democratic primaries and among independents who are now able to vote in party primaries. History confirms that voters can be swayed by a candidate's ethnic background. 

Miyagishima's major problem is not ethnicity but that he is a conservative/moderate Dem running in a party dominated by progressives. 

His major impact on the race thus far may be slowing down BernCo District Attorney Bregman who is courting the same middle of the road voters as Miyagishima, leaving the large progressive bloc to Deb Haaland.  

If nothing else the former mayor's name change could give him an excuse to hold a rebranding party to  raise money for his flagging campaign. 

MIYAGISIHIMA AND GALLEGOS 

Ken Miyagishima's middle name, "Gallegos," reflects his mixed Mexican and Japanese heritage. "Gallegos" is a Spanish surname from his mother's side of the family, while "Miyagishima" is his Japanese family name from his father's side. The use of both names symbolizes recognition of both parental lineages and cultural backgrounds.

MAYORAL RUNOFF 

From the ABQ City Clerk's office: 

Early voting will take place Monday, December 1 through Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 17 polling locations across Albuquerque. On Election Day, Tuesday, December 9, 50 polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Absentee ballots will be mailed to voters who have requested them beginning November 18. 

The last day to request an absentee ballot is November 25. . .All absentee ballots must be received by the Clerk’s Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day. Same-day registration will also be available during the Early Voting period and on Election Day. 

We'll be away from this space for a bit and return next Wednesday, Nov. 19. See you then. 

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.    

At the conclusion of KOB-TV's ABQ mayoral runoff debate last night one of the moderators said the "passion"of the candidates was appreciated. That was a courteous way of describing a hot under the collar confrontation that had Darren White seeming to jump out of his shoes. 

He went after Keller so vociferously and without regard for the debate rules that he had to be reined in by the moderators.

The full debate here. 

Keller, who finished first in the November 4 election with 36 percent, was less emotional even as White issued his indictment of his administration over crime and homelessness. He settled into a calm recitation of the political baggage that the former Sheriff brought to the debate stage as White barely turned down the temperature. 

The debate was only thirty minutes. There were few moments when White, who ran second to Keller last week with 31 percent, was not directly facing the mayor, often with pointed finger, as he delivered his pugnacious punch lines and engaged in dramatic expressions. When Keller took his shots he only occasionally looked White's way and kept his eyes glued on the viewers. 

White's school yard bashing of the incumbent was a moment of release for the anti-Keller GOP base but there was little in White's performance that will change hearts and minds. His hyper-aggressive posture may have played into Keller's meme that he represents a "dangerous alternative." 

Keller, a Democrat in a majority Democratic city, probably didn't win any new fans but he acquitted himself as he did on the KOAT mayoral debate last month by keeping his game face on and systematically attacking White. 

The issues covered at the debate are by now overly familiar to the electorate--crime, homelessness and Keller's performance. What was new was the ability of the candidates to sharpen their charges against each other without having to share the stage with four other contenders.

Newspaper report on debate here. The duo will meet again in debate Nov. 24 on KOAT. The runoff election is December 9. 

CRIME NUMBERS 

The debate came a day after the Keller administration released new crime stats that showed crime across the board was down in the city for the first nine months of the year compared to 2024. They cited similar statistics for the nation but Keller was not overly rejoicing, saying: 

I understand that the perception may not be that crime is going down, in fact, I would agree with that perception. But I will tell you if we continue doing this for several more years, we will absolutely feel safer because we are safer.

Keller critics swatted away the new stats, claiming that many crimes are going unreported because tharre are so many and citizens don't bother to call the police. 

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.    

When US Senators Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich jointly endorsed Santa Fe mayoral candidate Michael Garcia it was a one-two punch for the city councilor who also secured other prominent backing on his way to an easy win last Tuesday.

Flash forward to the December 9 ABQ mayoral runoff and Ben Ray has wasted no time in giving an official nod to Mayor Tim Keller but Martin Heinrich, who earned the blog nickname of "The First Endorser" for always having his finger on the endorsement trigger, did not join with Lujan this time. 

Not that Heinrich has any love for Darren White, the Republican Sheriff who is Keller's rival in the runoff. It was White who Heinrich defeated in 2008 to launch his congressional career. (Here's our Election Night wrap from that year.)

Heinrich is closely aligned with the progressive wing of the Dem party--more so than Lujan--and that puts him in the endorsement spotlight as progressive and third place mayoral finisher Alex Uballez calls for White's defeat but is still on the fence when it comes to an official endorsement of the two term mayor. 

There are strong ties between Heinrich and Uballez. The senator was instrumental in getting Uballez appointed as the US Attorney here under President Biden, an appointment that set in motion his run for elective office. 

Also, Heinrich is now in the middle of a raging battle over that US Senate vote reopening the government and that has inflamed progressives against more moderate Dems who voted for the opening. Heinrich sided with the progressives (as did Lujan) in voting to keep the shutters drawn on the federal government.

And another also, Heinrich has a home near the Nob Hill/UNM area where Uballez performed best. It was from there that Heinrich started out in politics in 2003 as an ABQ city councilor. Then there's the see-saw relationship Heinrich and Keller have had over the years. 

With all that background The First Endorser may just let Lujan take his title away for this election. 

 MAYOR '25 (Cont.)

Uballez

KOB-TV will host a 5 p.m. mayoral debate today with ABQ Mayor Tim Keller jousting with Republican Darren White. Meanwhile, readers weigh in on how Alex Uballez, the third place finisher in last Tuesday's initial election, is holding back an endorsement of fellow Dem Keller and which we blogged about Monday: 

Reader Xavier Medina Vidal writes: 

Joe, I am challenging your assumption that Uballez is missing the train. I'm asking that you explain to your readers the basis of your assumption. I’d say it’s fair to ask you how you arrived at this given your insights into NM politics. 

Thanks for the inquiry. We cautioned that Uballez could miss the train not that he has. Our reasoning is  fairly simple. If Uballez wants a clear path to a future in state politics, he does not need to alienate the Keller crowd so he has to carefully balance his dissent with Keller and his expected eventual endorsement of him. That's more so if he has his eye on working with the city. Dissenters to that view would argue that Uballez only needs his small but dedicated progressive base if he wants to advance politically.

An ABQ reader writes:

If Uballez was truly cut out to be mayor, then he either pisses or gets off the pot and shows some leadership with those who are his most ardent supporters and says he will not support Keller, or he takes them along on a convincing journey and explains why voting for Keller should be done. Taking a stance is a sign of leadership and being wishy-washy and coy is a sign of what? I am not sure what it is a sign of, but it does not have a good look. If he shows some leadership and courage, I could remain interested in him.  

GETTING SPECIAL

Acting Gov. Morales

The sky will not fall on New Mexico's 460,000 SNAP recipients. 

The special session of the legislature called by MLG made a speedy dash of it Monday in a three hour meet where they authorized a $162 million spend just in case the reopening of the federal government falls through. 

Food stamps were already assured through November but Dem legislators and the Guv said they would rather be safe than sorry--and did so sooner rather than later. Most Republicans agreed. The measure passed 52-9 in the House and 30-6 in the Senate. 

Collectors of vintage La Politica photos may want to make a keeper of the one posted here. It is of Acting Gov. Howie Morales signing the SNAP legislation sent up to him. He wields the yellow pen because MLG is attending a Brazil climate conference (nice work if you can get it).

He rarely gets the spotlight so let's have the Lieutenant Governor take us outta here today. 

It's yours, Howie. . 

No New Mexico families will go hungry thanks to the efficient work of our state legislators and the leadership of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. I am proud that we came together in the best spirit as New Mexicans to make sure vulnerable families in our state are taken care of. This legislation ensures New Mexicans can feed their families this holiday season.

And this gentle readers is. . . 

The Home of New Mexico Politics.  

With a deal to open the federal government finally working its way through Congress, there seems little reason for New Mexico's lawmakers to gather in Santa Fe today. But the Governor jumped the gun, called them back and did not call them off so. . . 

About today's one day special legislative session called by MLG in reaction to the interruption of SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown. . .

The SNAP debacle is a stark reminder of the state's welfare state status and how economic development has passed us by. Over 21 percent of the population--about 460,000 New Mexicans--depend on SNAP. That's the highest rate in the nation and has been for some time. The low-wage, low employment economy in a state of just 2.1 million just hangs around year after year.

The Governor could have postponed today's special since the immediate funding problem for November appears resolved. But the Dems and GOP have been on war footing. Her office gave this reasoning for today's special session: 

The special session is moving forward Monday because Republicans in Congress still refuse to end this needless government shut down. While we are relieved that November benefits have been released, we are still cautious about relying on future SNAP funding being available. We’re not taking any chances with 460,000 New Mexicans’ food security.

That reasoning is no longer operative now that the government is about to reopen but the politicos will have no problem filling the void with plenty of talk while sending the special session bill to Mr. and Mrs. New Mexico.

 TRAIN LEAVING?

Is Alex Uballez risking the train leaving the station without him?

The former US attorney came in third in the ABQ mayoral election last week, getting 18.79 percent percent of the vote (not the 20 percent his campaign claims). That vote came mainly from progressive Democrats and slowed Dem Mayor Keller who now faces a December 9 runoff election with second place finisher Darren White, 

But Uballez is dragging his feet on an outright endorsement  of Keller who received 36 percent of the vote to White's 31 percent. Uballez' campaign says "he’s standing committed to defeating Darren White so he can’t turn the city over to Trump."

That may be all Keller needs from Uballez but more is always best. 

While Uballez is holding back and using that nearly 19 percent as a bargaining chip with the mayor, progressive Dem gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland is filling the vacuum, coming with an early and robust endorsement of Keller. That's not a shabby replacement for Uballez in Dem dominated ABQ. 

Also Indivisible ABQ, a prominent progressive group, is prepping their endorsement of Keller who is seeking an unprecedented third four year term:

IABQ is. . .working toward an endorsement for Mayor Keller. Darren White’s record and alignment with the Trump agenda, ICE, and anti-immigrant policies are fundamentally at odds with our values and the communities we stand with. To finalize an endorsement, we’ll need at least 120 member votes through our online platform. Stay tuned for an official endorsement announcement.

And no doubt here will be more progressives coming aboard with Keller as fear mounts of a right-wing takeover of City Hall. 

Uballez earned a ticket Election Night but will he miss the train that could keep him on track for future success?

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.