In a historic victory, Claudia Sheinbaum has been elected as Mexico’s first female president, winning a landslide with preliminary results showing her securing between 58% and 60% of the vote.
The former mayor of Mexico City outpaced her main rival, businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez, by approximately 30 percentage points.
Sheinbaum will take office on October 1, succeeding her mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Her election marks a significant milestone for gender equality in Mexico, as she will be the first woman to hold the country’s highest office in its 200-year history.
In her victory speech, Sheinbaum emphasized the collective achievement for women across Mexico. “For the first time in the history of our Republic, a woman will serve as President of Mexico,” she announced to a jubilant crowd. “This victory is not just mine, but a triumph for all women. I promise not to let you down.”
Sheinbaum expressed gratitude to Gálvez, who conceded defeat gracefully. Before running for president, Sheinbaum was the mayor of Mexico City, a role that is often considered a stepping stone to the presidency. Her background as an energy scientist, coupled with her extensive political experience, played a pivotal role in her campaign.
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Sheinbaum’s maternal grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Bulgaria who fled the Nazis, while her paternal grandparents hailed from Lithuania. Raised by scientist parents, she studied physics and later earned a doctorate in energy engineering. Her career included a stint at a prestigious research lab in California, where she became an expert on climate change and energy consumption.
Her political journey began as the secretary of the environment for Mexico City under López Obrador, eventually leading to her historic election as the city’s first female mayor in 2018. She held that position until 2023, when she decided to run for president.
This election, which saw Sheinbaum face off against Gálvez, has been hailed as a transformative moment for women in Mexican politics. Edelmira Montiel, 87, expressed her joy at witnessing a woman ascend to the presidency. “I never thought I would live to see this day. It’s a dream come true,” she said.
Despite the celebration of two female front-runners, the campaign was marred by violence, particularly against local candidates. More than 20 candidates were killed across Mexico, highlighting the pervasive issue of violence in the country. Gálvez criticized the government and Sheinbaum for failing to address this violence effectively, promising a tougher stance on crime if elected.
Alongside the presidential election, Mexicans also voted for all members of Congress, governors in eight states, the head of Mexico City’s government, and thousands of local officials. The election underscored the pressing need for measures to curb violence and ensure the safety of political candidates.
Sheinbaum has promised continuity with López Obrador’s policies, focusing on welfare programs that have been popular among the public. Her presidency is expected to build on these initiatives while addressing the ongoing challenges facing Mexico.
