Claudia Sheinbaum: Mexico's First Female Presidential Candidate

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, a former head of the government of Mexico City and candidate for the ruling Morena party, is set to become Mexico's first female leader.

Sheinbaum's background, political career, and policy positions offer insights into her vision for Mexico's future.

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (born 24 June 1962) is a Mexican politician who has served as the head of government of Mexico City since 2018. She is the first woman to hold this position. Prior to her election as head of government, Sheinbaum served as Secretary of the Environment for Mexico City from 2000 to 2006. She is a member of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party.

Sheinbaum is a graduate of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where she earned a degree in physics. She also holds a master's degree in energy engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to her career in politics, Sheinbaum worked as a researcher at the National Institute for Nuclear Research (ININ).

Sheinbaum's political career began in the early 2000s when she joined the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD). She was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 2006 and served until 2012. In 2012, Sheinbaum was appointed Secretary of the Environment for Mexico City by then-mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera. She served in this role until 2018, when she was elected head of government of Mexico City.

As head of government, Sheinbaum has implemented a number of policies aimed at improving the quality of life for residents of Mexico City. These include investing in public transportation, expanding access to education and healthcare, and reducing air pollution. Sheinbaum has also been a vocal critic of the Mexican government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.