Morales chooses former Miss Bolivia to run for governor in opposition stronghold

Morales chose Jordan over former Governors Carlos Navia and Erwin Romero to run against opposition incumbent Ernesto Suarez in the eastern Bolivian province along the border with Brazil, the La Paz-based newspaper reported.

Bolivians will elect new governors and mayors in April in each of the country’s nine provinces. Morales says he is seeking to increase his party’s control of regional governments, including four opposition-controlled eastern provinces, after winning re-election last month with 64% support.

President Morales thanked Ms Jordan for having accepted the invitation to run under the banner of MAS and praised the beauty queen for her “youth and intelligence”.

“Companion Jessica Jordan is going to be the only woman candidate running for governor in Bolivia”, said Morales. Ms Jordan said she accepted the challenge “with love, honesty and humbleness” but “I also joined because I want to win”.

In December’s presidential election Morales garnered 38% of the vote in Beni, an opposition stronghold, while Manfredo Reyes Villa his main opponent, 53%.