Background and Qualifications of María Valdés Leal
María Valdés Leal, a law graduate from the CIDE, with advanced studies at Tecnológico de Monterrey and Universitat de Barcelona, is on track to become Mexico’s first popularly elected judge specializing in telecommunications, radiodiffusion, and economic competition.
Currently serving as a secretary of the collegiate board in the Twenty-Fourth Collegiate Administrative Circuit of the First Circuit in Mexico City, Valdés Leal’s resume reveals limited experience in telecommunications, radiodiffusion, or economic competition. Her professional background includes roles such as secretary of study and accounts at the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation and advisor on constitutional law, mercantile law, and human rights matters.
Valdés Leal has also worked in the Guanajuato judicial branch and with private law firms. Her academic achievements highlight a master’s degree in women, gender, and citizenship at the Universitat de Barcelona. She identifies as a feminist lawyer.
Her educational journey includes studying public policy for equality at the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) and a course on international legal framework for freedom of expression from the University of Austin. Additionally, she completed a diploma in human rights at the Poder Judicial de la Federación and an online negotiation course from Harvard University.
Election Process and Results
María Valdés Leal was nominated for the election by the legislative power and, as of this morning, had garnered 3,142 valid votes in the June 1 election.
Other candidates include Claudia Patricia Peraza Espinoza, who remains in office and was also proposed by the legislative power, with 2,782 votes; and Alejandra Martínez Gándara, proposed by the judicial power with 2,447 votes.
With 99.99% of the votes counted for a specialized telecommunications judge, Valdés Leal is poised to win this judicial election.
The election for specialized judges in telecommunications, radiodiffusion, and economic competition received a 13.58% voter turnout.
A total of 107,774 valid votes were cast, along with 24,333 null votes and 30,082 improperly marked votes. Valdés Leal won with 2.92% of the valid votes.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is María Valdés Leal? María Valdés Leal is a law graduate from CIDE with advanced studies at Tecnológico de Monterrey and Universitat de Barcelona. She is currently a secretary of the collegiate board in Mexico City’s Twenty-Fourth Collegiate Administrative Circuit.
- Why is she relevant? Valdés Leal is poised to become Mexico’s first popularly elected judge specializing in telecommunications, radiodiffusion, and economic competition.
- What is her professional background? Her experience includes roles such as secretary of study and accounts at the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, advisor on constitutional law, mercantile law, and human rights matters, as well as work in the Guanajuato judicial branch and private law firms.
- What are her academic achievements? Valdés Leal holds a master’s degree in women, gender, and citizenship from the Universitat de Barcelona. She has studied public policy for equality, international legal framework for freedom of expression, human rights, and negotiation skills from Harvard University.
- What were the election results? María Valdés Leal received 3,142 valid votes, securing her position as the winning candidate with 2.92% of the valid votes.
