A fourth candidate has announced his intention to run for Las Cruces Mayor in November. Former city councilor Dolores Lucero, former La Fiesta Bakery co-owner Gina Ortega and current city counciilor Greg Smith had already announced. On Thursday, Las Cruces resident Mike Tellez announced that he will run to replace incumbent Mayor Ken Miyagishima who is rounding out his twelfth year of service to the city of Las Cruces. Miyagishima is scheduled to announce his deciison on whether he will seek a fourth term on Tuesday.
Here is a statement from the Tellez campaign:
"Our government has been unresponsive to issues of this community for long enough," said Tellez. "I am running to be the next mayor of Las Cruces because our current administration's policies have pushed people aside in favor of political gains. I am not a politician, and I am not concerned about positioning myself to the right or left, because people out here are hurting and struggling. I opened the Dream Center to be a light in the community after our local government failed to protect our youth, but I want to do more to contribute to the success and safety of the families and young people in this city. That transformation has to start in City Hall."
Tellez is a devoted husband and father of four with a strong faith background. He has lived in Las Cruces for 23 years, witnessing the heartbreaking effects of rising crime rates and the Opioid Epidemic on the community. After working in the restaurant industry for over 40 years, Tellez left his career with a mission for change.
Tellez opened the Dream Center, a non-profit community center that provides teens with a safe environment in which to participate and thrive. The Dream Center also serves to meet tangible needs of families that the current city government has overlooked.
Tellez has centered his campaign around people over politics, with his priority being investing in young leaders and cleaning up the streets of drugs and crime to ensure a safe and prosperous future for Las Cruces.