Top 5 Contenders Eyeing Quintana Roo Governorship

Three women and two men are considered potential candidates for the 2027 gubernatorial race in Quintana Roo. They represent the National Regeneration Movement (Morena), the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM), and the Labor Party (PT), an alliance known as the Fourth Transformation.

The alliance is expected to continue in Quintana Roo for the upcoming local elections. These politicians believe they have the potential to win under the Morena-PVEM-PT banner, as the opposition lacks the resources and personnel to mount a strong gubernatorial campaign.

The potential female candidates from the Morena alliance are Estefanía Mercado Asencio, the municipal president of Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen); Ana Patricia Peralta de la Peña, the municipal president of Benito Juárez (Cancún); and federal deputy, Freyda Marybel Villegas Canché. The male candidates are Senator Eugenio Segura Vázquez and Josué Nivardo Mena Villanueva, the municipal president of Lázaro Cárdenas.

Estefanía Mercado emerged on the political scene after winning the election in Solidaridad, a stronghold of panism. Despite the odds, she won by a 20 percentage point margin. Her tenure has brought significant changes to municipal public administration, including an initiative to rename the municipality as Playa del Carmen.

Ana Patricia Peralta de la Peña has steadily risen in the political ranks. Known for her charisma, she has convinced the inhabitants of Benito Juárez of her ability to govern effectively. As Benito Juárez has the highest number of voters, almost 700 thousand, she could leverage this support in her bid for governorship.

Marybel Villegas Canché expressed her intention to run for governorship as early as 2022, but the conditions were not favorable. However, recent developments have revived her aspirations for the 2027 election.

Senator Eugenio Segura Vázquez is a known aspirant for the gubernatorial candidacy. His work in the Senate and the backing of Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa support his ambitions. However, he must secure the approval of Morena's national leadership or align with the Green Party to be a viable candidate.

Finally, Nivardo Mena Villanueva, who ran for governor in 2022, could be a contender for the Labor Party. Despite his party losing its registration, he managed to secure more than 11% of the total vote and currently serves as the municipal president.