JT Keith Artesia Daily Press jtkeith@elritomedia.com
In New Mexico, some last names are known before the first names are ever said. Peyton and Harvey Yates and Mack Chase, names long tied to oil, business and influence, are a few of those.
The Henderson name carries a different kind of weight. It is known for football, winning and a standard few programs ever reach. Together, L.G. and Cooper Henderson won 20 state football championships and 403 games, more than any family coaching duo in New Mexico sports history.
On Friday, July 24, the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor made it official, inducting Cooper and L.G. Henderson together.
“The biggest honor is the players and coaches you worked with, and the people who helped you get where you are,” said Cooper Henderson, 71. “It makes you slow down and appreciate all the people who had a part in your life.”
Cooper went 293-103-1 in 32 seasons at Ruidoso and Artesia. He led those programs to 15 state championships, all but one at Artesia, and ranks fourth all-time in wins among New Mexico coaches.
Cooper and his brother, Butch Henderson, both played for their dad at Artesia. Cooper, a Bulldog from 1970 to 1972, saw L.G. in two roles: the demanding coach at school and the father who left football on the field unless his sons wanted to talk about it at home.
Cooper said his dad’s biggest lesson came from the way he lived as a Christian leader at home and at school. He was disciplined, lived what he believed and expected his players to carry that same discipline, Cooper said.
Cooper played football at Eastern New Mexico University and graduated in 1977. He began coaching at Portales, moved to Perryton High School in Texas and later worked as an assistant at Amarillo High.
Ruidoso had won only one game in two years when Henderson got his first head coaching job. He figured it could not get much worse — and believed it could get a lot better.
Through every move and season, Henderson said the greatest thing that ever happened to him was marrying his college sweetheart, Judy Visscher Henderson, whom he met at ENMU.
“She made a difference in my coaching career,” Henderson said. “She was at every game. Our kids were raised by her and kept involved, and they were always excited about me coaching and what I was doing.”
The couple has two children: Bryan Henderson, an Artesia graduate and lawyer in Dallas; and Britni Ridolfi, who works for the San Antonio Spurs.
Cooper said Artesia’s success came with strong support from assistant coaches, administrators and Mike Phipps, who won seven state championships as a coach and later served as athletic director and superintendent of Artesia Public Schools.
The Quarterback Club was another piece of that success. Cooper said it was never just about football; it was about helping young people grow up, compete well and succeed in life.
“The whole time I was the head football coach, Raye Miller was the head of our Quarterback Club,” Cooper said. “That group is a huge part of our success in Artesia, and they are all looking for good things out of our young people.”
L.G. Henderson, who guided the Bulldogs to five titles in the 1960s and died in 2012, had not been eligible before because he did not meet the NMHSCA’s minimum years of service or membership requirement. Once the criteria changed, the obstacle was gone.
Both Hendersons were already members of the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame. Now, together in the NMHSCA Hall of Honor, L.G. and Cooper Henderson stand where their careers always placed them — at the heart of New Mexico high school football history.
JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-0061 or on X @JTKEITH1.
Hikers received some unwelcome news over the last few weeks with the closing of several major trail systems in the Ruidoso area, as trails at Alto Lake, Cedar Creek, and Perk Canyon are off limits to area adventurers for a few weeks.
The Eagle Creek trail and the disc golf course at Alto Lake, below the dam, will be closed through the end of August as the area undergoes post-fire work, including the removal of dead trees and woody debris, mastication, and erosion control work to help stabilize burned slopes and reduce erosion.
The U.S. Forest Service has also temporarily closed the Cedar Creek and Perk Canyon trails through monsoon season due to potentially hazardous flooding conditions. Despite the closures, 1.1 million acres in the Lincoln National Forest remain open, including 600 miles of open trails for hiking, biking, and more.
Other nearby areas also offer a chance to get out and enjoy some nature as well. Here’s a quick look at just some of the options in the area outdoors lovers may want to consider.
Grindstone Reservoir
There are several trails to choose from for hiking and biking, along with fishing, disc golf, horseback riding and other outdoor activities. The Grindstone Canyon Loop is a moderate trail offering 6.6 miles through the wilderness. Grindstone Lake to Winchester Road offers an easier trail of 1.9 miles. The Grindstone Mesa Trail offers another 3.6 miles of moderate hiking terrain.
There is a wide variety for those looking to get outdoors and the brilliant blue lake offers the perfect backdrop for a day on the trails with friends and family.
Sawmill Trail
Those who enjoy Grindstone-area hiking may want to add this to the itinerary. This 3.9-mile connector trail links to the Grindstone trail system. The trailhead is located on Mud Canyon Road at the end of Bewley Lane, off Carrizo Canyon Road. A sign makes finding the trailhead easy.
Lookout Mountain/Crest Trail
This option offers a more challenging route than some others and is located near Ski Apache. The Lookout Mountain via Crest and Scenic Trails offers brilliant views as part of a 7.1-mile out-and-back route. Expect an arduous and steep ascent with 1,900 feet of elevation change with spectacular wildflower views in spring and summer.
Moon Mountain Recreation Area
Expect a rocky experience on this climb up Moon Mountain for 360-degree views of surrounding mountainside and the village below. This is a moderately challenging course on a 4.5-mile loop, and the recreation area also features a disc golf course. Look for the trailhead near Gavalan Canyon Road and Warrior Drive.
Capitan trails
The Capitan area offers miles of trails, and the Kit Carson Loop offers an easier trek featuring 3.7 miles of high desert hills and wonderful mountain views, including chances to view Sierra Blanca. Look for the trailhead about two miles north of Fort Stanton on N.M. 220.
The Capitan Peak Trail offers a more challenging journey with a 12.2-mile out-and-back and is popular with serious backpackers and campers.
Cloudcroft trails
For those looking for something a little different, head to Cloudcroft for some fantastic views of nature, wildflowers, and a variety of trees, including a multitude of aspens. The OSHA Trail is one of the most popular and presents a 2.5-mile loop that is perfect for moderate-level hikers.
Expect some challenging ascents with a great view of the Mexican Canyon Trestle, which was part of a train service that brought visitors and workers from Alamogordo to Cloudcroft for almost five decades, beginning in 1899. The trailhead is located just west of the village on the north side of U.S. Highway 82, near Muchachita Street. There are numerous other trails in Cloudcroft worth strapping on the hiking boots for.
Tularosa/Alamogordo area
The Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, located at 455 3 Rivers Road in Tularosa, is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management and features over 21,000 petroglyphs, including masks, sunbursts, wildlife, handprints, and geometric designs. A rugged 1/2-mile petroglyph trail takes visitors on a journey to view some of the Southwest’s best examples of prehistoric rock art. An additional short trail leads adventurers to a partially excavated prehistoric village.
The Tularosa Falls campground offers a chance to explore the surrounding canyons and take a dip in the three natural pools below the 25-foot natural waterfall. Guests are allowed by either camping or paying $10 for a day pass.
The Dune Life Nature Trail is a short loop hike within White Sands National Park, with the chance to observe tracks of various animals that call this unique environment home. Keep an eye out for foxes, badgers, birds, rodents, reptiles and more.
This is just a small sample of what awaits hikers in the area who may want to put some more trips on the itinerary. As always, practice safe hiking when heading outdoors and be weather-aware as monsoon season gets underway.
In New Mexico, some last names are known before the first names are ever said. Yates — Peyton and Harvey — and Chase, as in Mack, are names long tied to oil, business and influence.
The Henderson name carries a different kind of weight. It is known for football, winning, and a standard few programs ever reach. Together, L.G. and Cooper Henderson won 20 state football championships and 403 games, more than any family coaching duo in New Mexico sports history.
NMHSCA Award
On Friday, July 24, the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor made it official, inducting Cooper and L.G. Henderson together.
“The biggest honor is the players and the coaches you worked with, and those people who helped you get where you are,” Cooper Henderson, 71, said. “It makes you slow down and appreciate all the people who had a part in your life.”
Cooper went 293-103-1 in 32 seasons at Ruidoso and Artesia. He led those programs to 15 state championships, all but one at Artesia, and ranks fourth all-time in wins among New Mexico coaches.
Lessons from dad
Cooper and his brother, Butch Henderson, both played for their dad at Artesia. Cooper, a Bulldog from 1970 to 1972, saw L.G. in two roles: the demanding coach at school and the father who left football at the field unless his sons wanted to talk about it at home.
“Playing for my dad was a really good experience for my brother and myself,” Henderson said.
Cooper said his dad taught him countless life lessons, but the biggest came from the way L.G. lived as a Christian leader at home and at school. He was disciplined, lived what he believed and expected his players to carry that same discipline.
That influence reached the whole family. Cooper said his sister, Linda, and his brother, Butch, also became teachers and coaches because of the mark their father left on their lives.
Some of Cooper’s favorite memories came in the summer, when he and his dad went fishing together and L.G. often led the family in devotionals. Those moments let Cooper see his father away from the pressure of the sidelines.
The L.G. Henderson Fieldhouse now bears his father’s name. Bulldog Bowl, New Mexico’s most famous prep venue, was built during L.G. Henderson’s time as Artesia’s head coach, and his success in the 1960s helped establish the foundation of the Bulldogs’ powerhouse program.
Provided | Artesia Athletic Communications
Cooper Henderson and his family were inducted into the NMHSCA on Friday night.
“My mom, Fid, had an influence on me as well,” Cooper said. “She was very supportive of what he was doing.”
Cooper never coached with his dad, but L.G. still came to practices and watched his son win several state championships.
Playing and coaching career
Cooper played football at Eastern New Mexico University for two years and graduated in 1977. He began his coaching career at Portales, spending two years as head freshman coach and varsity receivers coach. He then coached at Perryton High School in Texas before taking an assistant job at Amarillo High, where he coached receivers and tight ends in the Wing-T offense.
He liked Amarillo and asked head coach Larry Dippel whether he might eventually have a chance to take over when Dippel retired. Dippel could not answer and sent him to the Amarillo schools’ athletic director. The answer was short: “No, we won’t.”
“I started applying for jobs in a lot of small towns,” Henderson said. “It ended up that Ruidoso came open, and there were some people there who had ties to my college and old mentors. Ruidoso was the first place that offered me a head coaching job.”
Family
Ruidoso had won only one game in two years. Cooper figured it could not get much worse — and believed it could get a lot better.
Through every move and every season, Henderson said the greatest thing that ever happened to him was marrying his college sweetheart, Judy (Visscher)Henderson, whom he met at ENMU.
“She made a difference in my coaching career,” Henderson said. “She was at every game. Our kids were raised by her and kept involved, and they were always excited about me coaching and excited about what I was doing.”
The couple has two children: Bryan Henderson, 43, an Artesia graduate and lawyer in Dallas, Texas; and Britni Ridolfi, also an Artesia graduate, who works for the San Antonio Spurs.
After Henderson retired, Artesia named the practice field after him.
“I feel that is a real honor,” Henderson said. “To me, that is where teams are made, right there on the practice field. That is where you get to know each other and, day by day, learn the things that sports are about. That really meant a lot to me, and I appreciate coach Jeremy Maupin and all the people at the school who made that possible.”
Help
Cooper said he was blessed with strong support from assistant coaches, administrators and Mike Phipps, who won seven state championships as a coach and later served as athletic director and superintendent of Artesia Public Schools during Cooper’s career.
Quarterback Club
One of the significant pieces of Artesia’s success, Cooper said, was the Quarterback Club. It was never just about football. It was about helping young people grow up, compete well, and succeed in life.
“The whole time I was the head football coach, Raye Miller was the head of our Quarterback Club,” Cooper said. “That group is a huge part of our success in Artesia, and they are all looking for good things out of our young people.”
“That is the real essence of being successful,” Cooper said. “Having people want to reach the same goals. I was fortunate to have great assistant coaches and the Quarterback Club.”
On retirement
Cooper said he never planned to retire when he did. Five coaches on staff could have taken over, and his priority was making sure the program stayed strong for the next coach. He knew Artesia had excellent coaches and players coming, and he wanted the Bulldogs to keep winning the right way.
“I was really pleased that the school hired assistant coach Rex Henderson,” Cooper said. “And then I was pleased to hire former player and assistant coach Jeremy Maupin.”
Molding young athletes
One model Cooper tried to emulate was former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success.
“I changed some aspects of the Wooden pyramid to fit our program,” Cooper said. “We talked about those things year-round. It is about young people taking the qualities they learned, along with what their families taught them, and using them to be successful in life—at work, in marriage, or as parents. I hope some of those qualities I tried to instill in our former players made their lives a little better.”
Cooper stepped down as Artesia’s head coach in 2016 and continued to serve as the school’s athletic director until 2023. As recently as a couple of years ago, he still had a hand in coaching, working with the Bulldog sophomores.
He remains a familiar and popular presence around Artesia.
A long wait
As for why L.G. Henderson, who guided the Bulldogs to five titles in the 1960s and died in 2012, was not already in the Hall of Honor, the reason was simple: the NMHSCA recently adjusted its induction criteria. L.G. previously did not meet the minimum 20 years of service or membership required for eligibility. Once that changed, the obstacle was gone.
Both Hendersons were already members of the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame. Now, together in the NMHSCA Hall of Honor, L.G. and Cooper Henderson stand where their careers always placed them — at the heart of New Mexico high school football history.
The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office reported the incident at about 5 p.m., Sunday July 26 via a news release.
Police said there was no indication of “foul play,” and that no identifying information of the minor child will be released “out of respect for the family.” Nor will any identifying information about the parents be released, read the news release.
The deceased child’s name, age and gender were not released as of Monday.
There was no sign of alcohol or drug use leading up to the incident, read the release.
The investigation is ongoing “as is standard procedure for all unattended deaths,” the release read.
Multiple first responder agencies responded to the lake, located just outside Carlsbad to the north and about 30 minutes south of Artesia.
“The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the child’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” read the release. “We ask the public and members of the media to respect the family’s privacy as they grieve.”
Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.
One of my favorite times of the year is the first day of school. There is something special about seeing our hallways come back to life, classrooms filled with excitement, and students reconnecting with friends and teachers. The beginning of a new school year brings fresh opportunities, renewed purpose, and endless possibilities.
As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, I couldn’t be more excited about where Artesia Public Schools is headed.
While much of the conversation around education in New Mexico often focuses on statewide rankings, I believe it’s equally important to celebrate the incredible things happening right here in the City of Champions. Every day, I have the privilege of seeing our students, teachers, support staff, administrators, parents, and community members working together to make a positive difference. Because of that commitment, our district continues to move forward.
One accomplishment I’m especially proud of is the progress we made in student attendance. Last year, our chronic absenteeism rate dropped from 29.82 percent to 20.06 percent. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because parents made getting their children to school a priority, teachers built meaningful relationships with students, principals and staff followed up when students were absent, and our students showed up ready to learn.
We know that when students are in school, they have the greatest opportunity to succeed. Improving attendance will continue to be one of our district’s priorities because every day in the classroom matters.
I’m equally encouraged by the academic growth our students achieved.
Five of our six tested grade levels showed substantial improvement on New Mexico’s state assessments. Districtwide, English Language Arts proficiency increased 6% points, with 50% of our students now meeting proficiency standards. Even more exciting, mathematics proficiency increased 8% points to 37%.
Are we satisfied? No. We know there is still work to do. But I firmly believe success is built one step at a time, and these results tell us we are moving in the right direction. They are a testament to the outstanding work of our teachers and the determination of our students.
Another point of pride is our graduation rate.
Artesia High School’s graduation rate increased from 82.5% in 2024 to 84.12% in 2025—more than four percentage points above the New Mexico state average. Behind every graduate is a story of perseverance, encouragement, and people who refused to give up on them. Those stories remind us why the work we do every day is so important.
Our students also continue to excel in Advanced Placement courses.
96.4% of our AP Chemistry students earned passing scores —far exceeding both the state average of 47% and the global average of 76.9%. Even more impressive, 100% of our students enrolled in AP English Literature and Composition earned a passing score, also far exceeding the state average of 51.6% and global 72.9%. These accomplishments are a reflection of exceptional students who are willing to challenge themselves and teachers who inspire excellence every day.
Of course, education is about much more than test scores.
I am continually amazed by the accomplishments of our students in athletics, fine arts, Career Technical Education, leadership organizations, and community service. Whether they’re competing for championships, performing on stage, earning industry certifications, or serving others, our students represent Artesia with integrity, pride, and excellence.
One thing I’ve learned is that the true story of a school district isn’t always reflected in a ranking or a headline. The real story is found inside our classrooms, on our campuses, and throughout our community. It’s found in teachers who stay late to help a struggling student, custodians who prepare our buildings with pride, cafeteria staff who ensure no child goes hungry, parents who support learning at home, and community members who continually invest in our schools.
That is what makes Artesia Public Schools special.
As we begin this new year, I want our students to know that we believe in them. We have high expectations because we know what they are capable of accomplishing. I also want to thank our staff for their dedication and commitment. The success of our district begins with the incredible people who serve our students each day.
To our parents, thank you for being our partners. Your involvement truly matters. Reading with your children, encouraging regular attendance, staying connected with teachers, limiting unnecessary screen time, and supporting learning at home all make a tremendous difference. Together, we can accomplish far more than either of us could alone.
I also encourage our community to stay connected throughout the school year. Follow our district and schools’ social media pages, and visit www.bulldogs.org to keep up with district news, calendars, celebrations, and the many great things happening in our schools.
The momentum we’ve built over the past couple of years gives me tremendous optimism for the future. We will continue to focus on continuous improvement, provide outstanding opportunities for our students, and never lose sight of our mission to prepare every child for success.
Thank you for believing in Artesia Public Schools and for investing in the future of our children. I can’t wait to see what this school year has in store.
Artesia resident Jonathan Chavez had a memorable 2026 season fishing in the youth division of the New Mexico Bass Nation Kayak Anglers series.
Chavez, a 17-year-old incoming senior at Artesia High School and a rookie on the kayak fishing tour, won the NMBNK Youth Championship July 18 at Conchas Lake in northeast New Mexico.
“I have been fishing for 15 years and have been doing the NMBNK for one year,” Chavez said.
He caught four largemouth bass totaling 52¾ inches and held off two other competitors to land the first-place trophy. The largest catch was 14¾ inches.
Chavez said he knew the best spots for casting his line after fishing at the popular lake near Tucumcari during the March 21 season opener.
“I was looking for drop-off points in the water and areas that had a lot of coverage,” he said.
Chavez didn’t expect to win the state title after just one season fishing from a kayak.
“I was super surprised when I won,” he said. “I felt happy to win and be the youth state champion.”
The championship tournament started at 5:15 a.m. and ended at noon.
“The morning of the tournament was perfect with a very slight breeze and perfect water temperature,” Chavez said.
Anthony Barrera, Chavez’s uncle and tournament director for the NMBNK, said his nephew has learned to master fishing from a kayak.
“I’m really happy for him. He really wanted to win, and he put in a lot of work,” said Barrera, who offered no advice to Chavez as the teenager headed into the youth championship.
“I just encouraged him and reminded him how well he did the last time he fished at Conchas,” Barrera said.
Chavez was the top youth angler at the March tournament, catching four fish totaling 56¾ inches.
Follow reporter Mike Smith on Instagram @mikesmithartesianm.
Leases for oil and gas drilling on public land in New Mexico will be offered via auction in November.
The Bureau of Land Management on Friday, July 17, announced it was accepting comments from the public on the proposed lease sale, including lands within the southeast Permian Basin region of New Mexico.
The Permian Basin, a 55,000-square-mile oil and gas deposit, stretches from eastern New Mexico into West Texas. It’s the most active oilfield in the U.S., on track to produce an average of 6.6 million barrels per day in 2026, according to a report from the Energy Information Administration.
Eddy and Lea counties make up the New Mexico side of the Permian, fueling the state to be the second-highest oil producer in the nation following only Texas.
The public comment period on the lands proposed for auction in Eddy and Lea by the Bureau of Land Management will run for 30 days until Aug. 17, followed by a 30-day protest period before the auction can be held.
A public scoping period was held from May 22 to June 22 for technical comments.
An analysis by the agency found that oil and gas operations on the lands would have “no significant impact.”
Here’s what to know about the Bureau of Land Management’s November oil and gas land auction.
Where are the lands?
The auction will include 14 parcels in southeast New Mexico. This includes 11 in Eddy County on 3,921 acres and three in Lea County on 440 acres.
The sale also will include 880 acres on three parcels in Rio Arriba and San Juan counties, and 8,212 acres on 36 parcels in Texas and Oklahoma.
What are the terms of the leases?
A lease won at the auction entitles the lessee access to the land for 10 years or for as long as oil and gas is produced.
Operators also pay the federal government a royalty rate equal to 12.5% of the proceeds from oil and gas generated on the lands. The fee is split between the federal government and the state hosting the land.
‘No significant impact’
The Bureau of Land Management said oil and gas operations on the lands proposed for lease in New Mexico would have little impact on the region.
That’s because the area is already known for heavy oil and gas operations, read a bureau analysis.
In total, 18 oil and gas wells are likely to be drilled on the 14 parcels in southeast New Mexico, read the report, generating about 6.3 million barrels of oil and 21.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
The new wells represent just 0.03% of the roughly 69,108 wells the bureau estimates will be drilled in the Permian Basin throughout its lifetime.
Environmental impacts such as air pollution or surface disturbance would be mitigated by current regulations that successfully address the “adverse effects of primary concern,” according to the report.
“Leasing the nominated lease parcels would not result in significant public health and safety-related effects when comparing the aforementioned issues,” read the report. “Leasing for oil and gas, and subsequent exploration and development, is a regular and ongoing activity in the region.”
Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.
There were nerves for the Artesia 12U All-Stars’ managers Wednesday at Brainard Park as the team posed for pictures before heading to Albuquerque for its first game in the state Little League tournament.
Layoff no problem
Manager Eric Sanchez said before the tournament that he hoped the long layoff would not hurt his team. The boys had not played a competitive game since beating Carlsbad 5-4 in extra innings to win the District 2 championship. On June 28.
Three games in, that worry is gone. Artesia has steamrolled the competition, mercy-ruling two of its first three opponents. The All-Stars opened with a 12-2 win over Raton, beat Yucca Little League 9-1, and drubbed Cooper 12-1 on Saturday in another mercy-rule victory.
“We have shown up, and we are doing it right now,” Sanchez said. “It felt like District 2 was hard compared to this right now. I feel like the boys are locked in right now.”
The boys are so locked in that they will play for the state championship at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday on Field 1 against an opponent to be determined. Four teams remain in the loser’s bracket.
One win from regionals
With one more win, Sanchez said, Artesia will advance to the regional tournament Aug. 8-9 in Waco, Texas.
Sanchez said he expects to give the ball to the team’s workhorse pitcher, Zayden Coronado, who has thrown the most innings for Artesia. Coronado will have the full 65 pitches available Wednesday after three days of rest.
“We are going to put the ball in his hands, and he will take us to regionals,” Sanchez said.
Artesia is also playing long ball. Matthew Fox hit two home runs in Sunday’s victory and added another in a later game, giving him a team-best three home runs in the tournament.
“We have been doing our job,” Sanchez said about the team’s success. “Our pitchers have been doing their job, and the defense has been great. We could not do this without the assistant coaches: Travis Bilberry, Lawrence Gomez, and Sy Panzer. Their work has really helped us, and without their help, we would not be here.”
Sanchez said the team is taking care of business no matter who is in front of it. Artesia has prepared game plans for A, B, and C but has stuck with Plan A, powered by phenomenal defense.
Community backs All-Stars
“We have enough sponsors to pay for hotels, which has blessed us financially,” Sanchez said. “They have paid for food, and we are going to watch the Isotopes play in a bit. The kids are pretty excited, and we are trying to give them the best summer we can while playing baseball.”
Now, Artesia is one win from Waco — and one win from turning a nervous send-off at Brainard Park into a state championship celebration.
JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-0061, or on X@JTKEITH1.
Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima announced Friday that he was ending his bid for New Mexico governor and endorsed the GOP nominee for the seat.
The announcement came at about 2 p.m., July 17 via a news release posted to Miyagishima’s Facebook page.
He endorsed former Rio Rancho Mayor and Republican nominee Gregg Hull in the same release.
The race for New Mexico governor will be decided in the Nov. 3 General Election when Hull faces Democrat former congresswoman and former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
Miyagishima previously left the Democratic Party in February and announced his bid as an independent but was unable to secure the petition signatures required to be added to the ballot.
The former mayor was considering a lawsuit, hoping a court would order he be placed on the ballot anyway, read the news release, but instead threw his support behind Hull.
“I have known Mayor Hull for almost 12 years. He is intelligent, hardworking and a man of integrity,” read a statement for Miyagishima. “His record reflects his dedication to the people of both Rio Rancho and New Mexico.”
Hull defeated Taos businessman Doug Turner in the June 2 Primary Election, while Haaland secured her party’s nomination over Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
“Ken’s support demonstrates our shared commitment to the people of New Mexico,” Hull said in a statement, according to Miyagishima’s news release. “Together, we will tackle the challenges in our communities, stimulate our economy, and ensure that every New Mexican has a voice in government.”
Miyagishima was first elected to mayor of Las Cruces in 2007 and was reelected to four-year terms in 2011 and 2015. He was elected to the post again in 2019 and served as mayor until 2023.
He previously served as a Dona Ana County Commissioner and Las Cruces City Council.
The 81st Eddy County concluded five days of agricultural exhibits, animal shows, rides and fair food with the annual Jr. Livestock Auction in the show auction ring with hundreds in attendance and numerous bidders looking to help the youth of Eddy County with future plans
Jaylee Joy with the Artesia FFA and her grand champion market lamb during the Eddy County Fair Jr. Livestock Auction on July 25, 2026 in Artesia.
Ashton Craft of the Cottonwood 4-H with her grand champion broiler chickens.
Trayton Wells of the Zia Sharp Shooters with his reserve grand champion fryer rabbits.
Albert Calderon of the Loving 4-H with his second place market swine.
Jack Jurva of the Loving FFA gets ready to take his market cattle into the show ring.
