# Leadership Aspirations in Mexicali and Tijuana within PAN
Former federal deputy Lizbeth Mata Lozano and ex-local legislator Amintha Briceño Cinco have both expressed their intention to run for the leadership of the National Action Party (PAN) in Baja California. This announcement follows the call issued by the Organizing Commission on September 11.
On Wednesday, September 18, Mata Lozano submitted a letter of intent to the party’s president, Luis Bustamante Mora, at the PAN municipal headquarters in Tijuana. Briceño Cinco did the same on Friday at the State Executive Committee of the party in Mexicali.
Both candidates now need to gather either 920 signatures from party members or 34 from state councilors to officially qualify as candidates. The deadline for this registration process is October 1.
Sources within the party revealed that Lizbeth Mata has garnered support from notable figures such as local and federal deputies Diego Echavarría and Eva María Vázquez, as well as the PAN leader in Mexicali, Alejandro Cota. Other supporters include Tecate councilor Luis Barroso and the upcoming Ensenada mayor, Adrián García.
On the other hand, Amintha Briceño has the backing of allies of former Tijuana mayor Juan Manuel Gastélum, including former treasurer Ricardo Chavarría and former senior official María De los Ángeles Olague. Other supporters include former BC senior official Loreto Quintero, former state leader Enrique Méndez, local deputy Alejandrina Corral, councilor Cuauhtémoc Cardona, and former leadership aspirant Julio Benítez.
If they successfully register, a verification period will begin on October 1, lasting ten days to address any possible irregularities.
The internal campaign will run from October 10 to November 9, with the election for state leadership taking place on November 10. On this day, PAN members across Baja California’s seven municipalities will vote. According to the National Executive Committee, led by Marko Cortés Mendoza, the new state leader must be a female candidate, replacing the current leader, Mario Osuna Jiménez.
On the same day, national PAN members will also vote for their national leader. So far, former federal deputies’ coordinator Jorge Romero Herrera and former senator Adriana Dávila Fernández have registered as candidates. Romero’s ticket includes former CDMX gubernatorial candidate Santiago Taboada, while Dávila’s ticket features Baja California’s Juan Marcos Gutiérrez for the general secretarial position.
Former Baja California governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel recently stated that the race for state leadership is controlled by Marko Cortés’ group. Along with other former governors and officials, Ruffo Appel has called for more public participation in PAN internal processes.
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## Additional Related News:
Mexican Political Landscape Shifts Amid PAN Leadership Contests
As Lizbeth Mata Lozano and Amintha Briceño Cinco vie for PAN’s state leadership in Baja California, similar political movements unfold nationwide.
A recent report highlights the various influential PAN figures endorsing different candidates, signifying further internal party dynamics. PAN’s national leadership elections are framing up to be a decisive event, where candidates backed by prominent party veterans are coming forward to shape the future of PAN.
Former Tijuana mayor Juan Manuel Gastélum’s endorsement of Amintha Briceño Cinco and former governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel’s comments reflect the power struggles within the party. Meanwhile, national figures like Jorge Romero Herrera and Adriana Dávila Fernández are gearing up for a significant showdown in the national leadership race.
Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for the latest developments in this unfolding political drama within PAN and its broader implications for Mexico’s political landscape.