Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima is backing Sharon Thomas, former head of the Quality Growth Alliance, in the Jan. 15 special election for the District 6 seat on the city council.
Miyagishima is listed as a co-host for a fundraiser for Thomas that will be held Monday at the home of former state Rep. J. Paul Taylor in Mesilla. Miyagishima was the District 6 councilor until he was elected mayor last month.
“While I was running for mayor I had promised my District 6 residents that I would let them know who I support for my former office,” Miyagishima said today. “That time is now and that person is Sharon ‘Sherry’ Thomas.”
The other candidates are former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Curran; Lawrence Joy, the owner of a direct mail advertising firm and the voice of NMSU’s marching band; Berchard Ray Shipley, who has a background in the military, commercial property management and community planning; and Karen Trujillo, a real-estate broker and president of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces.
Miyagishima said he has “several friends” in the race. He said Curran and Thomas helped his mayoral campaign, and Joy, for a fee, did his campaign mailing.
“However, as evidenced by the recent elections, responsible growth is a key issue not only throughout the city but as well in District 6,” Miyagishima said. “I believe District 6 residents want someone with strong land-use experience, while being able to balance the needs of both the residents and business community.”