Claudia Sheinbaum has made history by becoming Mexico’s first female president in a decisive landslide victory. Preliminary results from Mexico’s electoral authority indicate that the 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City garnered between 58% and 60% of the vote in Sunday’s election, giving her a substantial 30-point lead over her main opponent, businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez. Sheinbaum is set to succeed her mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, on October 1.
A former energy scientist, Sheinbaum has pledged to continue López Obrador’s policies, particularly focusing on the welfare programs that have bolstered his popularity. In her victory speech, she underscored the significance of her win, stating, “For the first time in the 200 years of the [Mexican] Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico,” and emphasized that this achievement was for all women, not just herself. She vowed, “I won’t fail you,” and thanked Gálvez, who conceded defeat.
Before running for president, Sheinbaum served as mayor of Mexico City, a key political position often seen as a stepping stone to the presidency. She has a distinguished background as a scientist, with her maternal grandparents having fled the Nazis in Bulgaria and her paternal grandparents hailing from Lithuania. With a doctorate in energy engineering, she became an expert on climate change and held the position of secretary of the environment for Mexico City when López Obrador was mayor. Sheinbaum made history in 2018 as the first female mayor of Mexico City, serving until 2023 when she resigned to pursue the presidency.
This election, featuring Sheinbaum and Gálvez as the main contenders, marks a significant shift for women in Mexico. Edelmira Montiel, 87, expressed her gratitude for witnessing a woman being elected president, reflecting on the long journey from when women were first allowed to vote in 1953. Despite this milestone, the campaign was marred by violent attacks, with over 20 local candidates killed across Mexico, according to government reports, though other estimates suggest the number could be as high as 37.
Gálvez criticized the government and Sheinbaum for the widespread violence, vowing to be “the bravest president” in confronting crime but provided few specifics on combating the powerful cartels. After Sheinbaum’s victory became clear, Gálvez called her to express hope for solving Mexico’s severe problems.
Addressing the challenge of violent cartels will be a key issue for Sheinbaum, who has advocated for addressing the root causes of violence and investing in welfare programs to deter young people from joining criminal groups. She also promised to maintain a respectful and friendly relationship with the United States, while defending the rights of Mexicans living there. Sheinbaum’s campaign benefited significantly from the support of López Obrador, who, despite being unable to run for a second term, has maintained an approval rating close to 60%. Many voters supported Sheinbaum to continue Morena’s poverty alleviation programs.
