Gubernatorial Candidate Ken Gallegos Miyagishima Endorsed Sharon McDonald for Mayor of Alamogordo

To my friends and relatives in Alamogordo:

I am proud to support an exceptional candidate for mayor of Alamogordo, New Mexico. While it may come as a surprise to some, I have deep roots in the Alamogordo community, with my ancestors being among the early settlers of the Tularosa Basin in the mid-1800s.

I spent part of my childhood attending elementary school before continuing my education in Las Cruces in 1971.

Recently, I had the privilege of discussing the mayoral race on a local radio show. Though I initially lacked knowledge of the candidates, I took the time to research their backgrounds and qualifications.

Alamogordo boasts many impressive individuals in this race, but one candidate, in particular, stood out to me.

After reaching out to her, we engaged in a thoughtful 45-minute conversation. I found her to be remarkably intelligent, a savvy businesswoman, and well-versed in the intricacies of local government. Her fiscal conservatism, combined with a moderate approach to social issues, speaks to her balanced perspective.

It is evident that she has actively engaged with her constituents, fostering strong relationships within the community.

In Sharon McDonald, I see a dedication to service and a commitment to the community that mirrors the values I upheld during my 16-year tenure as mayor of Las Cruces.

I have every confidence that she has the vision and integrity needed to lead Alamogordo into its next chapter with compassion and strength.

-Ken Gallegos Miyagishima, Candidate for Governor State of New Mexico 

Note:  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. Miyagishima was the first New Mexican of Japanese descent to hold public office and the longest serving mayor of the city. His family connections to Alamogordo run deep having attended North Elementary. His grandparents owned businesses in Alamogordo. He is a leading candidate for the Governor of New Mexico.

In office, Miyagishima was known as a pro-business, occasionally clashing with a more progressive city council.. In the 2020 presidential primaries, Miyagishima was one of several mayors to pledge support for former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. 

During his tenure as mayor, Miyagishima oversaw the building of city hall, the convention center, and an Aquatic Center. The city prioritized downtown revitalization. In reflecting on his term of office, he stated he was most proud of raising graduation rates.

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