Mexico’s Morena Party Poised to Control Supreme Court Following Judicial Elections

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum arrives at a polling station to vote in the country's first judicial elections in Mexico City, June 1, 2025

Mexico’s ruling Morena party is on track to gain significant control over the Supreme Court following preliminary vote tallies from the country’s first judicial elections, signaling a seismic shift in the balance of power across all branches of government.

Votes were still being counted Tuesday for more than 2,600 federal, state, and local judicial positions contested in Sunday’s elections, but early results for the nine Supreme Court seats indicated a decisive Morena-aligned majority. Most of the likely winners either hold strong political ties to the party or were appointed during previous Morena-led administrations, notably under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

The court, once seen as a key institutional counterbalance, now appears tilted in favor of the same party that spearheaded the controversial judicial overhaul allowing direct elections for judges. Experts have warned that the consolidation of power undermines democratic checks and balances, with President Claudia Sheinbaum and Morena positioned to enact reforms with minimal resistance.

“We’re watching as power is falling almost entirely into the hands of one party,” said Georgina De la Fuente, an election specialist with consulting firm Strategia Electoral. “There isn’t any balance of power.”

Despite mounting concerns, officials have rejected claims of democratic erosion. Several of the justices headed toward election were either members or former affiliates of Morena. Some, like Lenia Batres, Yasmín Esquivel, and Loretta Ortiz, were previously appointed by López Obrador and campaigned with visions aligned with Morena’s agenda.

Electoral workers fix signs at a polling station during the country's first judicial elections in Mexico City, June 1, 2025

The reform to elect judges, rather than appoint them based on merit, was pushed through last year by López Obrador and supported by Sheinbaum. It drastically limits the Supreme Court’s ability to serve as a check on executive power. While Morena insists the change will combat corruption in a widely distrusted judicial system, critics see it as a power grab.

The election’s low turnout — around 13% — and widespread confusion over the new process have fueled opposition claims that the reform was rushed and lacked proper civic education. Despite this, Sheinbaum dismissed complaints from opposition parties that boycotted the vote, stating, “They’re the ones who decided not to participate in the election.”

Among the standout results was Indigenous lawyer Hugo Aguilar Ortiz from Oaxaca, who led all vote-getters. Without formal party affiliation, Aguilar is known for his legal advocacy for Indigenous rights and criticism of judicial corruption. His election fulfills Sheinbaum’s expressed desire for Indigenous representation on the high court.

Other notable candidates heading toward election include:

Lenia Batres: A sitting Supreme Court justice and former congresswoman, aligned with Morena and appointed by López Obrador.

Yasmín Esquivel: A justice linked to a 2022 plagiarism controversy, supported gender equality reforms and has been closely aligned with Morena.

Loretta Ortiz: Previously resigned from Morena to assume a judicial post, though seen as ideologically aligned.

María Estela Ríos González: Longtime legal adviser to López Obrador, with expertise in labor and Indigenous law.

Giovanni Figueroa Mejía: Constitutional law scholar who publicly supported the judicial overhaul.

Irving Espinosa Betanzo: Mexico City magistrate and former congressional adviser to Morena, campaigning on anti-nepotism and human rights.

Arístides Rodrigo Guerrero García: Law professor with no judicial experience but known for populist appeal.

Sara Irene Herrerías Guerra: Federal prosecutor and human rights expert involved in the investigation of the deadly 2023 Ciudad Juárez migrant detention center fire.

With more than 93% of votes counted, Morena’s influence over the Supreme Court is nearly secured. Analysts expect the party to use its control to advance additional reforms, including controversial changes to Mexico’s electoral systems that had previously been blocked by courts.

Despite growing scrutiny from legal experts and opposition leaders, Mexico’s top electoral official, Guadalupe Taddei Zavala, downplayed fears of constitutional crisis, stating, “I don’t see any crisis after the election.”

As Morena edges closer to dominating the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, the future of Mexico’s democratic institutions and judicial independence remains uncertain.