Jewish Scientist Claudia Sheinbaum Leads Polls Ahead of Mexico's Presidential Election

As Mexico heads to the polls on Sunday, Claudia Sheinbaum, a scientist with Jewish ancestry, is poised to become the next president, leading the race by a significant margin. Despite the election being dominated by issues such as crime, environmental policies, and the economy, Sheinbaum’s Jewish heritage has also attracted attention.

Claudia Sheinbaum, 61, a former mayor of Mexico City, has rarely discussed her Jewish background publicly but expressed pride in her Jewish origins in 2018. This aspect of her identity has been used by detractors to undermine her campaign. Vicente Fox, a former president, and right-wing figure, has apologized for antisemitic remarks made against Sheinbaum, including calling her a "Bulgarian Jew" and questioning her Mexican identity.

Journalist Pablo Majluf, who is Jewish, observed that Sheinbaum has kept her religious background low-profile, likely to avoid further antisemitic attacks. Indeed, antisemitic rhetoric has surfaced in the campaign, with Sheinbaum’s detractors attempting to use her Jewish heritage against her. Francisco Ruiz Quirrín, a columnist for the ultra-conservative Primera Plana, suggested that the Jewish community would exert pressure to influence her presidency.

Despite these attacks, Sheinbaum maintains a lead of 11 to 22 points over her main rival, Xóchitl Gálvez, a businesswoman and senator. Sheinbaum's connection to her Jewish roots was highlighted in a 2018 speech where she expressed pride in her heritage, though she described her upbringing as secular.

The Jewish community in Mexico, represented by leaders like Moisés Romano Jafif of the CCCJM, has not endorsed any candidates, maintaining a stance of nonpartisanship. Isaac Ajzen, director of the Diario Judio news site, noted that Jewish voters are likely to base their decisions on policies rather than religious identity.

Sheinbaum, the candidate for the Morena party, is under pressure to address Mexico’s issues with violent cartels and corruption, which also affect US-Mexico relations. She has criticized the "war on drugs" strategy and supports offering social programs as alternatives to cartel involvement.

During the final presidential debate on May 19, Gálvez challenged Sheinbaum on her religious beliefs, accusing her of hypocrisy for using religious symbols despite her secular stance. Sheinbaum responded by focusing on policy issues and avoiding the provocation.

Sheinbaum, a physicist with Jewish immigrant parents from Lithuania and Bulgaria, has made varied statements about her faith. She recently described herself as a "woman of faith and of science" but previously identified as non-religious. Her past condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza and her silence on recent conflicts have not significantly impacted her campaign.

As election day approaches, Sheinbaum's lead in the polls suggests that voters are more focused on her policies and leadership capabilities than her religious background.

Stay informed about this historic election and support informed voting by sharing this article or subscribing to our newsletter.