Claudia Sheinbaum Makes History as Mexico’s First Female President
In a historic milestone, climate scientist Claudia Sheinbaum has been elected as Mexico’s first female president, securing between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote, according to a statistical sample from the National Electoral Institute. Her victory marks a significant shift in the nation’s political landscape.
“I will become the first woman president of Mexico,” Sheinbaum declared triumphantly at a downtown hotel, following calls from her two main competitors conceding defeat. Sheinbaum attributed her success to a collective effort, stating, “We’ve all made it, with our heroines who gave us our homeland, with our mothers, our daughters, and our granddaughters.”
Sheinbaum, the candidate from the governing party, has pledged to continue the political trajectory established over the past six years by her mentor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. At 61, Sheinbaum has been a prominent figure throughout the campaign, maintaining a lead despite a formidable challenge from opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez.
This election was historic not only for Sheinbaum’s victory but also for the fact that it was the first time in Mexico that the two main opponents were women. Gálvez, a tech entrepreneur and former senator, campaigned vigorously, highlighting issues of security and promising a tougher stance on organized crime.
Election day in Mexico was marred by violence, exemplified by the tragic killing of town council candidate Israel Delgado in Cuitzeo. Despite the heavy police presence, residents showed their resilience by voting and later honoring Delgado at an improvised altar at his home.
Nearly 100 million people were registered to vote in what has been described as the largest election in Mexico’s history. Alongside the presidential race, voters also elected governors in nine of the 32 states and selected candidates for both houses of Congress, thousands of mayors, and other local positions. However, voter turnout appeared to be slightly lower than in previous elections.
Sheinbaum’s campaign centered on continuing López Obrador’s policies, including a universal pension for the elderly and a program that pays youths to become apprentices. Despite critics’ claims that she lacks López Obrador’s mass appeal, Sheinbaum emphasized that her administration will use data to inform and support policy decisions.
Her main opponent, Gálvez, sought to capitalize on Mexicans’ concerns about security. She criticized the current administration’s handling of organized crime and promised a more aggressive approach to combating violence. This election was widely viewed as a referendum on López Obrador, whose tenure has been marked by an inability to significantly reduce gun violence in the country.
López Obrador’s Morena party currently controls 23 of the 32 governorships and holds a simple majority in both houses of Congress. Despite these advantages, the country remains plagued by violence, with 27 candidates, mostly running for mayor or town councils, having been killed this year alone. The election season witnessed an unprecedented number of mass shootings, targeting campaign events and highlighting the ongoing security crisis.
Sheinbaum, also a climate activist and academic, faces the challenge of addressing these security concerns while maintaining the social policies of her predecessor. Her victory represents a historic breakthrough for gender equality in Mexican politics and offers a new chapter in the nation’s governance.
As the first woman to hold the highest office in Mexico, Sheinbaum’s presidency is poised to inspire future generations of women leaders. Her administration’s focus on data-driven policy decisions may provide a new approach to tackling the country’s enduring challenges, from violence and corruption to climate change and economic inequality.
In the face of adversity and unprecedented violence, the Mexican electorate’s choice of Sheinbaum signifies a desire for continuity in social policies and a hope for more effective governance. Her ability to fulfill these expectations will shape Mexico’s political and social landscape for years to come.
