In a landmark election, Claudia Sheinbaum has been elected as Mexico’s first Mexican President Woman, marking a monumental step for the nation. The official electoral authority reported preliminary results indicating a decisive victory for the 61-year-old former Mayor of Mexico City, with a vote share between 58% and 60% in Sunday’s election. This substantial lead of approximately 30 percentage points over her main competitor, businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez, underscores the resounding mandate Sheinbaum received from Mexican voters.
Ms. Sheinbaum is poised to succeed her mentor, the outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, assuming office on October 1st. This transition signifies not only a change in leadership but also a historic moment for Mexico as it shatters gender barriers at the highest political level.
The election of mexican president woman Claudia Sheinbaum has resonated deeply across Mexico, particularly for women who view her victory as a watershed moment. Celebrating her win, Sheinbaum acknowledged the historical significance of her achievement, stating to jubilant supporters, “For the first time in the 200 years of the Mexican Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico.” She emphasized that this victory is not just personal but a collective triumph for all women in Mexico. “This is not just about me getting to the top office,” she declared, “it’s about all of us getting here.” She also expressed her gratitude to Xóchitl Gálvez for her gracious concession.
A Political Trajectory to the Presidency
Before her presidential bid, Claudia Sheinbaum held the influential position of Mayor of Mexico City. This role is widely regarded as a crucial stepping stone to the presidency in Mexican politics, providing a national platform and testing ground for leadership. Sheinbaum’s background is notably diverse, with Jewish maternal grandparents who immigrated to Mexico from Bulgaria to escape Nazi persecution, and paternal grandparents from Lithuania.
Prior to her political career, Sheinbaum excelled as a scientist. Both her parents were scientists, and she pursued physics, earning a doctorate in energy engineering. Her expertise in climate change and Mexican energy consumption was honed through years at a prestigious research lab in California. This scientific background, combined with her early activism, led her to become Secretary of the Environment for Mexico City during Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s mayoral tenure. Her political ascent continued when she became the first woman mayor of Mexico City in 2018, a position she held until 2023 before stepping down to pursue the presidency.
The presidential race between Sheinbaum and Gálvez was indeed a landmark event for women in Mexico, regardless of the outcome. Edelmira Montiel, 87, reflecting on the historical context, expressed her profound gratitude to witness a woman elected president. She recalled the era when women were disenfranchised, stating to Reuters, “Before, we couldn’t even vote, and when you could, it was to vote for the person your husband told you to vote for. Thank God that has changed and I get to live it,” referencing women’s suffrage in Mexico granted in 1953.
However, the significance of having two female front-runners was shadowed by widespread violence during the election period. Alongside the presidential election, Mexico also held elections for all members of Congress, governorships in eight states, the head of Mexico City’s government, and numerous local offices. Local candidates were particularly vulnerable, with government reports indicating over 20 killed across Mexico, and independent surveys suggesting a higher toll of 37.
Xóchitl Gálvez was a vocal critic of the government’s handling of the violence and challenged Sheinbaum on this issue throughout the campaign. Gálvez pledged to be a “bravest president” who would directly confront crime, though she lacked specific strategies to combat the powerful cartels fueling much of the violence. Upon conceding to Sheinbaum, Gálvez conveyed her concerns about the pervasive pain and violence in Mexico and expressed her hope that Sheinbaum would effectively address these critical issues.
Challenges and Future Directions for Mexico’s First Woman President
Addressing Mexico’s powerful and violent cartels will be a paramount challenge for mexican president woman Sheinbaum as she assumes office. She has articulated a strategy focused on tackling the root causes of violence, emphasizing investment in social welfare programs to deter young, impoverished Mexicans from joining criminal organizations.
In terms of international relations, particularly with the United States, which experienced strained moments under López Obrador, Sheinbaum aims for “a relationship of friendship, mutual respect and equality.” She also pledged to champion the rights of Mexicans living and working in the U.S., stating she would “always defend the Mexicans who are on the other side of the border.”
President López Obrador, limited by the Mexican constitution to a single six-year term, heavily supported Sheinbaum as his successor. His endorsement, coupled with his high approval ratings nearing 60%, provided a significant advantage to Sheinbaum’s campaign. Many voters who supported Sheinbaum expressed their desire to see the continuation of López Obrador’s welfare programs aimed at poverty reduction. As Mexico embarks on this new chapter with its first woman president, the focus will be on how Sheinbaum navigates these complex challenges and fulfills the expectations of her mandate.
