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Mexico Institute in the News: Mexican Ruling Party Picks Woman as Presidential Candidate

Eric L. Olson

Josefina Vasquez Mota was elected to be the presidential candidate for PAN. This is the first time a woman has been a presidential candidate for one of the major parties in Mexico.

Fox News, February 6, 2012; CBS News, February 6, 2012; New York Daily News, February 6, 2012; The Daily Mail, February 7, 2012

 Mexico's ruling party on Sunday chose a former congresswoman to run for president, the first time a major party has nominated a woman to compete for the nation's top office. The National Action Party's vote for Josefina Vazquez Mota over two other candidates sets the race for Mexico's July 1 presidential election. ...Vazquez Mota is considered Pena Nieto's strongest potential challenger, a personable, charismatic candidate who like Pena Nieto is good on the stump. Though Mexican voters in general seem weary of the ruling party after presidents Vicente Fox and Calderon, the novelty of a woman candidate could boost party appeal. 

"It injects a certain new note of uncertainty. There's never been a strong female presidential candidate for any other major party before,"

 said Eric Olson, a senior associate at the Woodrow Wilson Center's Mexico Institute. 

"It adds that historical element and maybe some excitement."...

   Read the full article here.  Similar articles may be found at CBS NewsThe Daily Mail or New York Daily News.

About the Author

Eric L. Olson

Eric L. Olson

Global Fellow;
Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Seattle International Foundation
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Mexico Institute

The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute.   Read more