While 4th of July fireworks exploded in San Diego's night sky, political fireworks went off in Tijuana. There was a surprise win in Tijuana's mayoral election.
Tijuana voters handed the opposition PRI party an unexpected victory.
The PRI had captured the mayoral seat in Tijuana once in the last 20 years.
Sunday's PRI party winner, Carlos, Bustamante was born in National City. He's 65 years-old and has made his fortune as a businessman in Tijuana.
David Shirk directs the University of San Diego's Transborder Institute.
He says Bustamante's win is a dark sign for the incumbent PAN party in Baja California, traditionally the party's stronghold. And it may have national implications.
"Political observers are looking to see, what is the Mexican electorate thinking next and what parties are they backing?" he said. "And this is just more evidence that the chances of a PRI takeover at the national level in 2012 are almost guaranteed," says Shirk.
Mexico elects a new president in 2012. The PAN currently holds the seat.
Public security and the economy were the two main issues in Tijuana's election.
