Mexico elects first female and first Jewish president

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In a landslide election, voters in Mexico selected Claudia Sheinbaum to serve as the country’s next president. Sheinbaum, an progressive, environmentalist, and former mayor of Mexico City, won over 59% of the vote on Monday.

Claudia Sheinbaum will not only become the first female president in Mexico’s history, she will be the first woman to serve as president in any North American nation. She will also become the nation’s first Jewish president.

Sheinbaum’s closest opponent was also a woman. Xóchitl Gálvez led the alliance of the nation’s conservative parties. She captured just under 30% of the total vote.

The election continues the MORENA party’s stronghold on the countries political landscape. The populist, left-wing party has enjoyed majority power the legislature since 2018, when now-outgoing President Obrador won a landslide victory.

MORENA positions itself as a party valuing diversity, human rights, and a focus on protecting the environment.

Next President of Mexico boasts long track record of breaking barriers and pushing for progress.

Sheinbaum was born and raised in Mexico City. She studied physics at the University of Mexico and later received her Ph.D. in energy engineering.

Sheinbaum also broke new ground in 2018, when she became the first woman and first person of Jewish descent to be elected as the Mayor of Mexico City. During her tenure, homicides in Mexico City were cut in half as she focused on improving policing practices while addressing the root causes of crime by advancing education access.

Her policies as mayor also focused on reducing pollution and modernizing the city’s transit system. She was also recognized by the City Mayors Foundation for her work combatting the spread of COVID-19.

Standing before supporters Monday night, Sheinbaum acknowledged the powerful history of her victory.

“For the first time in 200 years of the Republic, there will be a woman president,” Sheinbaum said after her victory, “and she will be transformative.”

“Today, with your participation, you demonstrate that Mexico is a democratic country with peaceful elections.”

President-elect Sheinbaum will take office on October 1st of this year. She will serve one six-year term as the President of Mexico.

“This is how a 200 year-old glass ceiling shatters,” one supporter wrote on Twitter.