The PRI’s National Executive Committee decided that Senator Ramiro Hernandez, would be a safer bet than the two previously registered contenders, Elisa Ayon and Rocio Corona, both state legislators with scant name recognition. Cardenas is one of the more charismatic politicians in the National Action Party (PAN) and has plenty of campaign experience. Hernandez denied his nomination was a “consolation prize” for not being given the PRI candidacy for Jalisco governor, which went to 35-year-old Guadalajara Mayor Aristoteles Sandoval.
Hernandez was defeated by Arturo Zamora in a primary election held to decide the PRI’s candidate for Jalisco governor in 2006. Zamora went on to lose to current governor Emilio Gonzalez.The PRI decided not to hold primaries for any elected post in this year’s presidential, state and municipal elections, which take place on Sunday, July 1.
An agricultural engineer, Hernandez has been a member of the PRI since 1971 and has held many posts within the party, including state president from 2003 to 2006.
Interviewed by local media, both Ayon and Corona said they agreed to step out of the race voluntarily and said no pressure had been put on them by the PRI National Executive Committee.