Presidential hopeful switches target to mayors office

The list of those who want to become mayor of Panama continues to expand and ranges from a former presidential candidate to the President of the National Assembly.

It also includes the incumbent Roxana Mendez who replaced a failing and ailing Bosco Vallarino, and some of those who have tried to grasp the scepter in previous campaigns

The latest to  join the hunt for the jov is Cambio Democrático (CD) hopeful Guillermo Ferrufino reshaped his political strategy this week by giving up his presidential aspirations and setting his sights on the mayor’s office
Ferrufino, a well-known television personality who won a seat in the National Assembly in 2009 before being appointed Minister of Social Development by President Ricardo Martinelli – was initially going to enter the CD presidential primary.
Even as late as the end of last year, he announced that he would leave the ministry to start his campaign, And his prospects looked bright as he led in many polls. But along the way he took a turn that left many surprised says La Prensa.
According to party sources, it took three meetings with senior CD leaders, which took place in restaurants and in the Palacio de Las Garzas, to convince him to run for mayor instead of president.
The meetings were attended by the deputies José Muñoz, Agustí¬n Shellhorn, Marylí¬n Vallarino and National Assembly President Sergio Gálvez, who explained that Ferrufino can "get the votes inside and outside the party." Even President Ricardo Martinelli was part of the meetings said La Prensa.
Three factors influenced the decision: the political inexperience of Ferrufino, the financing of his campaign, and the possibility that he could win the mayor's race.
The meetings were divided. Ultimately, legislators Muñoz and Sellhorn turned out to be the "key links" behind the decision.
But it wasn't easy: the weekend passed and the minister had still not made up his mind. The dilemma he faced was opposing current Mayor Roxana Méndez, who is seeking re-election.
"[Ferrufino] analyzed this decision, he did not want to disappoint his followers," Sellhorn said. "Ferrufino seeks political maturity."
Monday, the minister agreed to make the announcement that he would run for mayor at  5:30 p.m. . Muñoz, Shellhorn, Vallarino and Gálvez , who had previously announced that he would run for the office, said they would give their support.

Muñoz has taken the task of seeking the support of all the members of the CD legislative caucus. However, some of his colleagues, such as Deputy Vidal Garcí¬a and Edwin Zúñiga have stated publicly that they support the re-election of Méndez.
Now that Ferrufino has dropped out of the presidential race, the party is left with a roster of presidential candidates who have similar poll numbers.
So far, Minister of Economy and Finance Frank De Lima is the first cabinet member to announce his candidacy, but that is expected to change in the next three days.
Other candidates are indigenous leader Rubén González, Veraguas leader Roberto Ruí¬z Dí¬az and Colón leader Gabriel Danucio Rosanía.
Former PRD presidential candidate Balbina Herrera is also running for mayor and another former TV personality Ana Pérez , with no known political baggage plans to run to help focus attention on Panama’s cultural and social needs.