Overview of the 2027 Elections
Following the 2024 Mexican presidential election, where nine gubernatorial positions, 500 federal deputies, 128 senators, and numerous local legislative and municipal president positions were also contested, the electoral calendar has given us a three-year respite. In 2027, gubernatorial elections will once again be held, marking the second time Morena, a prominent political party, faces its constituents. In 2024, Morena successfully defended six gubernatorial positions; in 2027, they will be contesting twelve, more than half of the total they currently hold.
Current Political Landscape
Although the candidacy decisions are still forthcoming, political maneuvering and jockeying for gubernatorial positions are already underway in the seventeen states involved. These minor tensions may escalate, potentially leading to disputes and rifts, but these developments are expected to unfold over the next year.
Summary of 2027 Elections
The following is a preview of the events in June 2027:
- States with gubernatorial renewals: 17
Current Gubernatorial Balance by Ruling Party:
- Morena: Holds 12 of its 23 gubernatorial positions (Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, Sonora – the subsequent term will be 3 years), Tlaxcala, and Zacatecas.
- PVEM: Holds 1 of its single gubernatorial position (San Luis Potosí).
- PAN: Holds 3 of its 4 gubernatorial positions (Aguascalientes – with a 5-year term due to calendar adjustments), Chihuahua, and Querétaro.
- MC: Holds 1 of its 2 gubernatorial positions (Nuevo León).
- PRI: Does not renew in 2027; maintains its 2 positions (Coahuila and Durango) outside this cycle.
Women Governors
Currently, 13 states are governed by women; in 2027, eight of these entities will undergo renewal: Aguascalientes, Baja California, Campeche, Colima, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Quintana Roo, and Tlaxcala.
Relevant background: CDMX is the sole instance of consecutive female-to-female succession (Claudia to Clara, with Martí Batres as the interim). Tlaxcala and Colima have had two female governors, but not consecutively.
Governors whose terms will end in 2027 (to complete the departure picture):
- Baja California: Marina del Pilar Ávila (Morena)
- Baja California Sur: Víctor Manuel Castro (Morena)
- Campeche: Layda Sansores (Morena)
- Colima: Indira Vizcaíno (Morena)
- Guerrero: Evelyn Salgado (Morena)
- Michoacán: Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla (Morena)
- Nayarit: Miguel Ángel Navarro (Morena)
- Quintana Roo: Mara Lezama (Morena)
- Sinaloa: Rubén Rocha Moya (Morena) – the subsequent term will be 3 years
- Sonora: Alfonso Durazo (Morena)
- Tlaxcala: Lorena Cuéllar (Morena)
- Zacatecas: David Monreal (Morena)
- Aguascalientes: Teresa Jiménez (PAN)
- Chihuahua: Maru Campos (PAN)
- Querétaro: Mauricio Kuri (PAN)
- Nuevo León: Samuel García (MC)
- San Luis Potosí: Ricardo Gallardo (PVEM)
Context and Additional Information
- National map today: Morena – 23; PAN – 4; PRI – 2; MC – 2; PVEM – 1.
- Reelection: There is no reelection for governors/governoras.
- Date: The election day will be June 6, 2027 (the first Sunday of the month).
- Atypical durations: Calendar adjustments have resulted in exceptions (Quintana Roo and Aguascalientes with recent 5-year terms; Sonora will have a 2027-2030 term of 3 years).
- Local drag: In most of these states, voting will occur simultaneously for federal deputies, local legislatures, municipal presidents, as well as judicial power positions and possibly for the revocation of mandate.
- Parity: Given recent precedents, it is anticipated that parity criteria for candidate nominations to gubernatorial positions by party will once again be demanded.
Throughout 2026, names, preferences, surveys, parity criteria, positioning campaigns, and all of this will take place amidst discussions on electoral reform and the potential movement to advance the mandate revocation exercise. It promises to be a fascinating year, and we will be here to discuss it.
