Major Political Shifts in 2018 Sonora, Mexico Elections

Early Electoral Results Show a Potential Morena Sweep in Sonora

Moreno Coalition Candidate Leads in All Electoral Races

A relatively new left-wing political party may upset Sonoran political candidates from more established parties in every race of the 2018 election. Candidates representing a coalition of the National Regeneration Party (also known as Morena), the leftist Labor Party (PT) and the conservative right-wing Social Encounter Party (PES) lead in all contested elections in Sonora.

The other Sonora political alliances from the 2018 election were:

The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which affiliated with the Green Ecological Party (PVEM) and the liberal New Alliance Party (PANAL), and

The National Action Party (PAN) aligned with the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), a 1989 offshoot of the PRI party, and the Citizen’s Movement Party (MC).

Morena was founded in 2014 by former Mexico City mayor Andrés Manuel López Obrador as a national democratic “neoliberal” political movement. López Obrador formed the party as a challenge against the entrenched political structure in Mexico.

The party is opposed to the current Mexican government, which it considers to be authoritarian, unjust and corrupt. Morena espouses a left-wing economic view with a focus on market competition. Read more about Mexican political parties.

Yesterday, in a historic Mexican election that rang out as a mandate against the status quo of corruption and crime, Morena alliance presidential candidate López Obrador was elected president of Mexico, and will assume the office on December 1.

And early voting results indicate that the ascendance of the Morena coalition with have much more impact than on the Mexican presidency. Candidates from the alliance are serious contenders in eight of nine contested gubernatorial elections in Mexico.

And in Sonora, with more than half of votes counted a Morena alliance candidate is leading in all of the state’s political races – for federal senators, federal deputies (similar to representatives in the U.S.), and mayors.

Federal Senators (Senadores Federales)

With 51.24 percent of votes counted, Morena alliance candidates Alfonso Durazo and Lilly Téllez hold a commanding lead with 49.61 percent of votes cast, over the 27.16 percent showing of PRI candidates Sylvana Beltrones and Manuel Ignacio Acosta. PAN candidates Antonio Astiazarán and Leticia Cuesta trail with 23.23 percent of the vote.

Federal Deputies (Diputados Federales)

With more than 51 percent of the votes counted, Morena alliance candidates held commanding double-digit leads over PRI alliance candidates in six of the seven Sonora legislative districts, and a five percent lead in the Guaymas legislative district. PAN alliance candidates are in third place in all seven legislative districts.

District 1 – San Luis Rio Colorado

Manuel de Jesús Baldenebro (Morena) 46.87 percent
Gabriela González Navarro (PRI) 26.89 percent
Leonardo Arturo Guillén Medina (PAN) 26.23 percent

District 2 – Nogales

Ana Gabriela Guevara Espinoza (Morena) 45.07 percent
Humberto Jesús Robles Pompa (PRI) 27.89 percent
Angélica Miranda Molina (PAN) 27.04 percent

District 3 – Hermosillo

Lorenia Valles Sampedro (Morena) 47.95 percent
David Homero Palafox Celaya (PRI) 28.05 percent
José Carlos Serrato Castell (PAN) 24 percent

District 4 – Guaymas

Heriberto Marcelo Aguilar Castillo (Morena) 43.31 percent
Otto Guillermo Clausen Iberri (PRI) 38.53 percent
Jesús Saldaña López (PAN) 18.17 percent

District 5 – Hermosillo

Wendy Bricaño Zuloaga (Morena) 42.92 percent
Iris Fernanda Sánchez Chiu (PRI) 32.28 percent
Rita Olivia Burgos Villaescusa (PAN) 24.79 percent

District 6 – Obregon

Carlos Javier Lamarque Cano (Morena) 60.99 percent
Anabel Acosta Islas (PRI) 25.82 percent
Verónica Isabel Montoya Uriarte (PAN) 13.19 percent

District 7 – Navojoa

Hildelisa González Morales (Morena) 51.65 percent
Ana María Luisa Valdés Avilés (PRI) 29.34 percent
Raul Augusto Silva Vela (PAN) 19.01 percent

Mayoral Election (Alcaldes)

With 65 percent of votes counted in the eight contests for mayors of municipalities (alcaldes), all races are led by a Morena alliance candidate. As with Federal Deputy races, the leading Morena candidate is followed by the PRI alliance candidate, with the PAN alliance in third place.

Five of those candidates have a solid double-digit lead, but the municipalities of Hermosillo, Nogales and Agua Prieta have closer races. In the Hermosillo and Nogales races, this is apparently due to the strength of a Citizen’s Movement (MC) candidate that ran outside the PAN alliance as a Citizen’s Movement (MC).

Hermosillo

Célida López (Morena) 33.03 percent
Ernesto de Lucas (PRI) 29.71 percent
Myrna Rea (PAN) 17.4 percent
Carlos León (MC) 13.87 percent

Cajeme

Sergio Pablo Mariscal Alvarado (Morena) 37.17 percent
José Rodrigo Robinson Bours (Purple?) 24.54 percent
Emeterio Ochoa Bazúa (PRI) 18.23 percent
Gustavo Ignacio Almada Bórquez (MC) 15.46 percent

Nogales

Jesús Antonio Pujol Irastorza (Morena) 33.1 percent
Jorge Octavio Freig Carrillo (PRI) 28.57 percent
Marco Antonio Valenzuela Herrera (MC) 23.5 percent
David Cuauhtémoc Galindo Delgado (PAN, incumbent) 12.99 percent

San Luis Rio Colorado

Santos González Yescas (Morena) 47.73 percent
Héctor Virgilio Leyva Ramírez (PRI) 26.1 percent
José Everardo López Córdova (PAN) 22.66 percent
Luis Humberto Valtierra Armenta (MC) 2.49 percent

Navojoa

María del Rosario Quntero Borbón (Morena) 45.65 percent
Jorge Luis Márquez Cázares (PRI) 35.18 percent
Martín Ruy Sánchez Toledo (PAN) 16.13 percent
Rogelio Alfredo Alvarez Ceballos (MC) 2.12 percent

Guaymas

Sara Valle Dessens (Morena) 60.08 percent
Luis Alejandro Bárcenas Salido (PRI) 24.88 percent
Lorenzo De Cima Dworak (PAN) 8.64 percent
Sergio Carlos García Rascón (MC) 4.78 percent

Caborca

Librado Macías González (Morena) 56.68 percent
Rodrigo Acuña Arredondo (PRI) 28.75 percent
Darío Murillo Bolaños (PAN, PRD) 8.95 percent
Patricia Azcagorta Vega (MC) 4.79 percent

Agua Prieta

Jesús Alfonso Montaño Durazo (Morena) 39.69 percent
Vicente Terán Uribe (PRI) 31.26 percent
Carlos Manuel Fu Salcido (PAN) 24.89 percent
Guillermo Alfonso Elías Fabela (MAS) 1.43 percent

We will provide official results as they become available.

Sonora Will Be “Dry” Only on Sunday, July 1

“Ley Seca” will only be applied on July 1

Sonora’s Director General of Alcoholic Beverages Zaira Fernández Morales has announced that the “ley seca” (dry law) that bans alcohol sales on the day of and the day before a federal election will only be applied during the 24 hours of Sunday, July 1.

The government had previously announced that the dry law alcohol sales ban would begin on Friday, June 29 and last through election day on Sunday. However, due to intense pressure from groups that represent Sonora’s hotel and restaurant sectors, Fernández Morales announced the change yesterday.

The Sunday ban on alcohol sales includes bars, hotels, restaurants, self-service stores, nightclubs and venues for social events – any business that might otherwise be allowed to sell alcohol.

Fernández Morales also announced that any business found to be in violation of the law may be subject to a fine of up to 50 thousand pesos and revocation of its alcohol sales license.

To read more information about the 2018 Mexico elections, click here.

July 2018 Events in Sonora Mexico

July 2018 Events in Sonora, Mexico

July is a very hot month as far as temperatures go in Sonora, not so much with the events calendar. There are some notable exceptions though, the Feria de la Uva (Grape Fair) in Caborca, fiestas to celebrate the founding of Puerto Penasco and a cultural arts festival to commemorate a historic event in Guaymas.

Feria de la Uva
Caborca
A local event held annually to celebrate the grape harvest. Events include a parade, coronation of the uva queen, dances and other fiestas.

10

Fiestas del Pueblo Agua y Sol
Puerto Peñasco
This annual event celebrates the July 10, 1907 founding of Puerto Peñasco. Adding to the typically festive ambiance of Rocky Point, this festival features music, good food and art. See the Puerto Peñasco City website for more information.

12 – 15

Mar Bermejo Festival
Guaymas
This festival honors the defense of the port of Guaymas against a French invasion on July 13, 1854, known as the Battle of Guaymas. Festivities include cultural and artistic exhibitions sponsored by the City of Guaymas’s Civic and Cultural Action Department (Dirección de Acción Cívica y Cultural) and supported by the state’s Institute of Culture (Instituto Sonorense de Cultura). Read more.

18

Remembrance of the death of President Benito Juárez (March 21, 1806 to July 18, 1872)
(Not a national holiday)

20 – 29

Fiestas de Blanco y Negro
(White and Black Fiestas)
Annual fiestas that include a variety of activities, including ballet folklorico, horse races, mariachis, theater, dances and the crowning of Miss Santa Ana 2018.
Santa Ana

31

Remembrance of the death of Miguel Hidalgo, leader of the Mexican War of Independence (May 8, 1753 to July 31, 1811)
(Not a national holiday)

Fiestas Blanco y Negro 2018 Santa Ana Sonora

2018 Events in Sonora, Mexico

January to March Events

April to June Events

July to September Events

October to December Events

Top Places to See and Things to Do in Sonora, Mexico

Best of Sonora Tourism

Top things to see, do and enjoy in Sonora, Mexico

The Southern Sonora coastal community of Huatabampito, Sonora, Mexico

There is lots to see and do in Sonora – something for everyone

Sonora is the second-largest state in Mexico with respect to size, and the third-largest in terms of population. It has a rich history and offers a diversity of natural environments and ecosystems, fascinating native cultures and loads of fun things to do, all of which make Sonora a fun and enriching tourism destination.

Where to Begin?

With such an immense area of land and variety of travel and tourism options, we recommend that you start at the top. Pick a main area of interest, be it resort travel, border tourism, indigenous culture or the beach – then review and dig down in the information on your favorite topic or two, to get some travel ideas. And if you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Relax and Enjoy a Coastal Resort City

Sonora has two major tourism resort cities – San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco (also known as Rocky Point).

Rocky Point is closer to the Arizona-Sonora international border and can therefore be accessed more quickly by car (or other vehicle). It is a tourist town, with shopping, bars, sunset cruises and other tourist-centric activities to enjoy within hours of the border.

San Carlos is an eight-hour drive from the border but you can also get there by flying to a regional airport in Hermosillo or Ciudad Obregon, renting a car and driving the rest of the way. San Carlos is known for its deep-sea fishing, wonderful cuisine, luxury hotels and beautiful, scenic beaches. And there are lots of other activities to enjoy there as well.

Experience a Cultural Event

There are many opportunities to observe and participate in Sonora cultural events, from parades and civic celebrations to indigenous religious festivals on events like the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. Check out our quarterly and monthly events calendars to see if you find a special event of interest to you.

Explore the Capital of Hermosillo

Hermosillo, with approximately 650,000 residents, is the cultural, business, governmental and educational center of Sonora. The city has several cultural events during the year, like the annual celebration of its founding, the Festival del Pitic. Enjoy a few days exploring the restaurants, museums, churches, parks and shopping districts of the Sonoran Capital. Read more about exploring Hermosillo.

Hit the Beach

Sonora has hundreds of miles of coastline along the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. Activities include boating, sport fishing, kayaking or just relaxing on the beach. Whether it is a more secluded beach area like Huatabampito or Desemboque, or a more commercialized area like Kino Bay, Rocky Point or San Carlos Bay, you can enjoy a relaxing beach vacation in Sonora. Read more about coastal Sonora.

Visit a Magical Pueblo

Sonora has two towns that have the national distinction of being designated Pueblos Mágicos, or magical towns. In order to receive this prestigious designation, a locale must show that it has charming tourism places to visit, good lodging and restaurants, and other characteristics that make it a special place to visit.

There are two Pueblos Mágicos in Sonora, and they are both very special places to visit. Magdalena de Kino, Sonora is a short drive from the border at Nogales, and Alamos, Sonora is located in the southern region of Sonora.

Visit a Border City

Sonora shares a common border with Arizona, and its border cities are not only very accessible but offer a variety of activities, products and services to enjoy. The main Arizona-Sonora border communities of Nogales, San Luis and Agua Prieta all have their individual flair, but also offer common experiences.

Find beautiful arts and crafts along with creative tourist curio products in border stores, and haggle to get the best price. Enjoy an authentic Mexican meal and get a taste of Mexico (although many claim it is not the “real” Mexico by walking around and seeing churches, statues and plazas. Shop border pharmacies to see if you can find your prescription medications at a discount. And visit a Mexican dentist or doctor to have dental and medical issues treated at a discount. Read more about the Sonora border.

Enjoy a Sonora Ecotourism Experience

Sonora’s variety of climates and ecosystems offer fabulous outdoor experiences for tourists to enjoy. From kayaking and fishing on the coast to hiking, mountain biking, cultural immersion, seeing ancient rock-art petroglyphs and other adventures, there are many options to explore.

The best way to experience Sonora ecotourism is to participate in a tour. See a list of Sonora ecotourism operators. Research the tour company to see if they have insurance and roadworthy vehicles, and whether they offer English-language tours. Read more about Sonora ecotourism.

Whatever you enjoy doing, be it enjoying history and culture, urban exploration or experiencing the natural environment, you can have a great tourism experience in Sonora, Mexico. Questions? Contact us.

Along the Malecon in Rocky Point, Puerto Penasco Sonora

Hacienda de los Santos Resort - Alamos, Sonora, Mexico

Nahuatl performers in a Caborca 6 de abril parade

Palacio del Gobierno Sonora - Hermosillo, Mexico

Sonoran traditions - Dia de San Juan Bautista in Pueblo Viejo, Navojoa, Sonora

Ancient rock art petroglyphs at Rancho Puerto Blanco, near Caborca

Sonora Tourism Advisory – July 1 Mexican Elections

May affect borders, alcohol sales prohibited starting Friday

Update: On Thursday, June 28 the head of the Sonora Directorate of Alcohol, Zaira Fernández Morales, announced that the dry laws would be further amended to ban the sale of alcohol only on Sunday, July 1. Bars, clubs, convenience stores and other places that sell alcohol will be able to sell alcoholic beverages until midnight Saturday.

On Sunday, July 1, Mexicans will go to the polls to elect a new president, federal senators and legislators, and local officials. With far-left presidential candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador (also known as “AMLO”) leading in the polls, there is speculation that the election and its aftermath could cause controversy south of the border.

López Obrador is a populist candidate who has promised reforms that will help Mexico’s working class, and if he is elected it will represent the first time a candidate that is not part of one of Mexico’s two ruling parties of PAN and PRI ascends to the presidency of Mexico.

And he plans to officially close his campaign in the Sonora capital of Hermosillo.

Mexicos “ley seca” (dry law), which prohibits the sale of alcohol on the day of federal elections and the day before, has been extended to two days before the election, and will begin this Friday, June 29.

As a result, many businesses will be closed or have limited hours of operation over the weekend. There may also be heavier than normal northbound traffic at the Arizona-Sonora ports of entry on Friday and Saturday.

Secluded Sonora Beach Hotel Has Big Plans

Secluded Sonora Beach Hotel Has Big Plans

Desemboque, one of Sonora’s lesser-known beach getaways is just an hour’s drive south of the bustling tourist resort city of Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point. And it is now offering more reasons for tourists to stop by for a visit.

The coastal fishing village of Desemboque is a small town with a beautiful beachfront that is rarely crowded, in fact oftentimes visitors find that they have the beach to themselves.

There is one hotel in Desemboque, the Hotel Playa Dorada. Located right on the beach, it has been a favorite for years of visitors looking for a laid-back and secluded beach vacation that is not far from the border.

Those who have visited the Playa Dorada Hotel will remember its longtime owner Irma and the delicious traditional Mexican dishes she prepared.

Last year Irma decided that it was time to retire, and she sold the hotel to two sisters who have big plans for the property. In addition to renovating and adding rooms to the hotel, they plan to add a variety of activities for guests to enjoy.

In addition to fun activities to enjoy on the beach, new entertainment options will include fishing and ecotourism excursions, as well as tours to historical and cultural sites in the region.

I stopped by the Playa Dorada in January, and it already has a fresher, cleaner look. Everyone is excited about their plans for the future, and the beach is still a marvelous place to take a stroll or a swim, and just relax.

We will provide information and updates for the Playa Dorada Desemboque in our monthly newsletter, and you can always visit their website here.

Early Electoral Results Show a Potential Morena Sweep in Sonora

Moreno Coalition Candidate Leads in All Electoral Races

“Ley Seca” will only be applied on July 1

Best of Sonora Tourism

May affect borders, alcohol sales prohibited starting Friday

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