New Mexico Gubernatorial Candidate Ken Miyagishima Calls Treatment of Independents “Unfair”

Independent New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Ken Miyagishima called the treatment of independent voters “unfair” this week, arguing that such candidates and voters face more cumbersome barriers than major party candidates.

In an opinion article published by the Albuquerque Journal, Miyagishima called independent voters “the fastest-growing segment” of the New Mexico electorate and argued that current ballot access rules reflect a “systemic bias” against candidates outside the two major parties. He said Democratic gubernatorial candidates need 2,505 signatures and Republicans need 2,350, while independents such as himself need 14,200.

Miyagishima, the former mayor of Las Cruces, is running for governor as an independent after leaving the Democratic Party, which he said has moved further left. He argued that independent voters and moderates deserve a larger role in New Mexico politics and said the state’s two-party system too often limits voters’ choices.

Miyagishima also outlined several policy priorities, presenting himself as “New Mexico first” and calling for changes related to public safety, education, substance abuse treatment, and housing. He said he would revisit “catch and release” policies, seek to improve the state’s education rankings, and use county indigent funds, opioid settlement revenue, and cannabis tax dollars to support treatment facilities.

Read the full article in the Albuquerque Journal.

Readers are invited to share their thoughts in the comments. Please review IPR’s commenting guidelines before posting. Comments are held for moderation before publication.