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Opinion | Can Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum, a trailblazing Jewish woman, pave her own path or follow in others’ footsteps?

Claudia Sheinbaum, a Jewish woman, is currently the front-runner in Mexico’s presidential race. Her potential victory is a significant milestone in the country’s history, highlighting the changing role of minority groups in Mexican politics. However, the real question remains whether her presidency will bring about lasting and positive change beyond just a popular political project.

It is worth noting the historical context of Mexico’s relationship with Jews. Centuries ago, the Catholic Church in Mexico fueled hatred towards Jews, leading to the torture and execution of crypto-Jews during the colonial period. Today, Ms. Sheinbaum will be legislating from buildings near sites where these atrocities took place, emphasizing the complicated history of Jews in Mexico.

In the late 1800s, Mexico began to embrace freedom of religion, but anti-Semitic sentiments persisted. Prominent figures like José Vasconcelos perpetuated conspiracy theories about a Jewish cabal seeking to control the state. Growing up in Mexico City in the 1960s, Ms. Sheinbaum witnessed the divided Jewish communities, with Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews maintaining separate institutions and traditions.

Ms. Sheinbaum’s family background is a unique blend of Ashkenazi and Sephardic heritage, reflecting a rare mixing of the two Jewish groups in Mexico. Her grandparents fled persecution in Europe, with her maternal grandparents escaping the Holocaust in Bulgaria and her paternal grandparents immigrating from Lithuania. Raised in a secular household, she still celebrated Jewish holidays with her grandparents.

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Kevin McCarthy, former House Speaker, seeks revenge

Ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is out for vengeance. After being voted out as House speaker, McCarthy left office at the end of 2023. Now, he is traveling the country giving speeches, appearing on TV, and plotting revenge against those who orchestrated his downfall.

Eight Republican lawmakers joined with Democrats in toppling McCarthy, marking the first time a House leader has been voted out. Two of the Republicans who voted against him are retiring, while three others are facing strong primary challenges. McCarthy is working behind the scenes to ensure their defeat, using his political connections and resources to support their opponents.

McCarthy’s main nemesis in this battle for vengeance is Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was instrumental in McCarthy’s ouster. During a recent appearance at Georgetown University, McCarthy accused Gaetz of pushing him out of the speakership due to an ethics complaint involving a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz denied the allegations and called McCarthy a liar.

Despite the turmoil of his speakership lasting less than nine months, McCarthy feels liberated and focused on campaigns and elections, which have always been his forte. He remains close to lawmakers he recruited and maintains a vast donor network built over years as a top GOP strategist.

McCarthy’s top priority is to secure Republican control of the House in the upcoming elections. He is also focused on reelecting key members, such as Young Kim, Michelle Steel, and Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who have diversified the House GOP.

At a recent seminar on American democracy, McCarthy displayed both charm and self-deprecation. He broke with former President Trump by supporting aid for Ukraine and acknowledging Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. However, McCarthy also dodged questions and made false equivalences, drawing criticism from his detractors.

Despite speculation about a second Trump administration, McCarthy has not shown interest in becoming an influence peddler. Instead, he prefers working in the campaign realm, where his skills and talents are best utilized. McCarthy’s focus is on electing viable Republican candidates and achieving payback against those who pushed him out of power.

In conclusion, Kevin McCarthy is on a mission for vengeance, using his political savvy and resources to take down his opponents and secure Republican victories. His determination and focus on campaigns and elections show that McCarthy is not one to back down easily, making him a force to be reckoned with in the world of politics.