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-Editorial
Mexico witnessed a monumental event in its political history as the country conducted its presidential election, leading to the historic election of the first woman president. Former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum emerged as the winner in the presidential race, with initial tallies indicating her lead according to polling results counted by Mexico’s electoral authority.
The National Electoral Institute’s president said Sheinbaum had between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote. Opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez had between 26.6% and 28.6% of the vote and Jorge Álvarez Máynez had between 9.9% and 10.8% of the vote. The Morena party is projected to have a congressional majority allowing Sheinbaum to push through her agenda with ease.
This election, described as the biggest in the country’s history, featured over 20,000 congressional and local positions up for grabs, according to the National Electoral Institute. Yet, amidst the democratic process, the campaign period was marred by violence, with criminal groups exploiting local elections to assert dominance. Tragically, more than 20 individuals seeking political office fell victim to this violence throughout the year.
Sheinbaum’s journey to the presidency was marked by her nomination by the ruling coalition, Sigamos Haciendo Historia, positioning her as the top contender to succeed President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Sheinbaum Pardo, born on June 24, 1962, boasts a rich background as a Mexican politician, scientist, and academic. Before her presidential bid, Sheinbaum served as the Head of Government of Mexico City from 2018 to 2023, becoming the first woman elected to the position. Her tenure was characterized by a focus on crime reduction and urban planning enforcement.
A scientist by profession, Sheinbaum holds a Ph.D. in energy engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and has contributed significantly to the field of energy and sustainable development through her academic work. Her advocacy extends beyond academia, as she openly identifies as a feminist and champions causes such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and LGBT rights. In 2007, she joined the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) at the United Nations in the field of energy and industry, as a contributing co-author on the topic “Mitigation of climate change” for the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report. The group won the Nobel prize.
Following the conclusion of the nationwide voting and the closing of polling stations, Guadalupe Taddei Zavala, the President Councilor of the National Electoral Institute (INE), reassured the public that the meticulous process of counting and verifying each vote had commenced. Taddei Zavala emphasized the importance of respecting citizens’ will and the integrity of the electoral process. As the nation eagerly awaits the results, the message resonates: Mexico has taken a significant step forward in its democratic journey, reaffirming its commitment to democracy and inclusivity.
According to the National Electoral Institute (INE), 100% of the polling stations were installed in Baja California, although 2 permanent and 39 temporary suspensions were reported in some polling stations in the entity. Alejandro Ramírez Hernández, member of the electoral organization of the INE in the region, explained that the definitive suspensions took place in Ensenada.
The Morena Party in Baja California has declared victory in all seven municipal races and for the Senator position. The state has emerged as a stronghold for the Morena Party since Jaime Bonilla ended the 30-year rule of the PAN Party. Norma Bustamante, Morena’s candidate for Mexicali Mayor, has declared that the trends heavily favor her candidacy and called on everyone to unite.
