Seven candidates in the running for election to head the Chapala government formally kicked off their respective two-month campaigns on Sunday, April 29.
Alejandro Aguirre, former mayor (2001-2003) and current candidate for the National Action Party (PAN), jumped the gun on his opponents with the ribbon-cutting opening of his campaign headquarters held at one minute after midnight.
Incumbent Javier Degollado got rolling at 8 a.m., leading followers on a campaign march from the parking lot of the Soriana supermarket to the waterfront Malecón. He is seeking reelection for a second consecutive term under the banner of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
Near the end of the route the candidate stopped briefly at the Beer Garden restaurant to share an embrace with brother and former mayor (2007-2009) Gerardo Degollado, who was holding a press conference in his first activity as candidate for the National Regeneration Movement (Morena).
Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) candidate Moises (Moy) Anaya waited until Sunday afternoon to lead a campaign march in the heart of Chapala. Elected to sit on the city council after losing in a close race against Javier Degollado three years ago, he previously served as interim mayor during the brief leave of absence of Jesús Cabrera (2010-2012).
The other contenders also initiated low key campaign activities as of this week. They are Andrea Garcia, Mexico Green Ecology (PVEM); Esperanza Mejía Carvajal, New Alliance (PANAL); and Diego Castro, Chapala’s first independent mayoral candidate.