Mexico's ruling party, the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), has chosen veteran politician Clara Brugada as its candidate for Mexico City mayor, positioning her strongly for a potential victory in the upcoming June election. If successful, Brugada would follow in the footsteps of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's leftist party, with the outgoing mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum, also hailing from MORENA.
Expressing gratitude on social media, Brugada acknowledged the trust placed in her candidacy and emphasized the unity needed to secure the support of Mexico City's residents. To pursue the mayoral post, Brugada stepped down from her position as mayor of Iztapalapa, a significant borough in the southeast of the capital, where she earned a respected track record through three terms in office.
The nomination of Brugada, a two-time congresswoman, was secured under new gender parity rules governing political representation in Mexico. Despite facing tough competition, including a defeat in polling commissioned by the party against former chief of police Omar Garcia Harfuch, Brugada's nomination aligns with the requirement for parties to nominate at least five women for various regional government posts, including the mayoral role.
Mexico City, a historical stronghold of the left, witnessed a significant setback for MORENA in the 2021 midterm elections, where the party lost more than half of the city's boroughs to the opposition. Brugada's candidacy comes at a crucial juncture for MORENA to regain ground and reinforce its presence in the capital.
The mayoral position in Mexico City has historically served as a launching pad for presidential ambitions. President Lopez Obrador himself launched his first presidential bid in 2005 from the mayor's office. Claudia Sheinbaum, who assumed the mayor's role in 2018, has also emerged as a presidential nominee for MORENA in the upcoming 2024 election.
Brugada's candidacy represents a significant political development, not only for her potential role as the next mayor of Mexico City but also in the broader context of gender parity and political representation in Mexican politics.
As she embarks on her campaign, Brugada will aim to rally support, address the city's pressing issues, and contribute to the resurgence of MORENA's influence in this pivotal electoral battleground. The outcome of the June election will not only determine the city's leadership but may also have implications for the national political landscape in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential race.