Mexico's federal election tribunal has ruled Tijuana's former Mayor Jorge Hank Rhon can run for governor of Baja California. The decision overrules the state tribunal and ends two weeks of tense uncertainty. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has this story from Tijuana.
The federal tribunal's unanimous vote is an enormous victory for Jorge Hank Rhon.
He stepped down early from his position as Tijuana's mayor to run for governor.
Two weeks ago Baja California's state election tribunal turned the governor's race on its head when it barred Hank from running. The tribunal said Hank violated a state law that prohibits elected officials from leaving one office to campaign for another.
After the federal tribunal's vote, Hank greeted his supporters with backslaps and hugs as they put on new bracelets that promoted Hank's bid.
Hank : Well, I'm happy. I'm happy democracy came back and the law was abided. So six to zero means that I was really right since the beginning.
Hank has insisted all along that his constitutional right as a Mexican citizen to run for election trumped any state law.
Hank's bid for governor has pumped new life into his PRI party in Baja California. The state has been a PAN party stronghold for the last 18 years.
Hank and PAN candidate Jose Guadalupe Osuna Millan face off on August 5.
In Tijuana, Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
