Background on Zongolica and its Political Significance
Zongolica, a strategically located municipality in Veracruz, has been the setting for intense political competition. In recent local elections, this town witnessed a fratricidal war among seven candidates vying for the mayoral position, with three of them being related by blood.
The Mezhua Campos Siblings: A Political Background
Lidia Irma Mezhua Campos, a Morena candidate and current local deputy with leave, and her brother Juan Carlos, formerly affiliated with the Party of the Democratic Center (PRD), left the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) four years ago. Both were previously federal deputies representing the National Regeneration Movement (Morena).
Lidia Irma secured third place in the recent election with 1,586 votes. Juan Carlos attempted to return to power independently but failed to gain enough support.
Election Outcomes and Coalitions
In the Veracruz election, Morena and the Green Party (PVEM) formed coalitions in only 60 out of 212 municipalities. Zongolica, Poza Rica, and Alvarado were not part of these alliances.
The Party of the Democratic Center (PRD) offered 30 municipalities for coalition integration, while Morena proposed retaining 15 candidacies. Despite not allying with other political forces, the PRD managed to secure 28 mayoral positions—double their previous achievements if they had joined forces with Morena displaced candidates.
Impact on Veracruz’s Political Landscape
Morena and PVEM together managed to take the Veracruz mayoral position from the National Action Party (PAN). They strategically divided positions, with PVEM candidates winning in Orizaba, Verde; Alvarado, and Perote, while Morena secured Coatepec, Córdoba, Xalapa, and Tuxpan. Meanwhile, Movimento Ciudadano (MC) captured crucial strongholds like Alto Lucero, Medellín, Papantla, and Poza Rica. The PAN managed to preserve its stronghold, Boca del Río.
Specific Election Results
In Poza Rica, Emilio Olvera Andrade led Janeth Adanely Rodríguez, the Morena-PVEM candidate, by 5% as the PREP closed, though 6% of the ballots remained uncounted. In Alvarado, Hipólito Deschamps, son of the late national petroleum union leader, received only 26.74% of the votes, while Alberto Ángel Cobos, the pevemista candidate, won with 9% more votes.
Post-Election Analysis
A year after Rocío Nahle’s election as Veracruz’s governor, the state witnessed significant vote fragmentation. No single party garnered over a million votes; Morena emerged as the most voted party (31.5%), followed by MC (19.16%) as the second-largest force. PAN, PRD, and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) contested for third place.
The PAN struggled in crucial municipalities and, following Alito Moreno’s instructions, nominated token candidates. For instance, Ernesto Vivas in Boca del Río received only 800 votes, enabling PAN opponent María Josefina Gamboa to defeat Morena-PVEM candidate Bertha Ahued Malpica by those same 800 votes, necessitating a recount.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the Mezhua Campos siblings? Lidia Irma and Juan Carlos Mezhua Campos are siblings who were once affiliated with the PRD and later joined Morena. Both have been involved in Veracruz politics, with Lidia Irma serving as a local deputy and Juan Carlos attempting an independent mayoral run in Zongolica.
- What is the significance of Zongolica in Veracruz’s political landscape? Zongolica is strategically located and has been the site of intense political competition, including a fratricidal war among candidates in recent elections.
- How did political parties form alliances in Veracruz? Morena and PVEM formed coalitions in only 60 out of 212 municipalities, while the PRD offered 30 for integration. Morena proposed retaining 15 candidacies, leading to the PRD securing 28 mayoral positions.
- What were the election outcomes in key Veracruz municipalities? Morena and PVEM together took the Veracruz mayoral position from PAN, strategically dividing positions while MC captured crucial strongholds. No single party received over a million votes, with Morena leading as the most voted party (31.5%).
- What challenges did the PAN face in Veracruz’s elections? The PAN struggled in key municipalities and nominated token candidates, such as Ernesto Vivas in Boca del Río, who received only 800 votes.
