Currently, I am working on a book manuscript where I analyze how drug-related violence affects party behavior. I examine how the relationship between parties and the VNSAs varies across three variables: the level of election, the type of political parties and the type of VNSA using the case of Mexico. I look at two different dimensions of party behavior: the selection of candidates and party capture by drug trafficking organizations (DTOs).​

 

I argue that in states controlled by transactional DTOs, parties will be more likely to nominate candidates who are in collusion with DTOs at the state (estado) level, because the connections at this level may increase certainty and protection to traffic drugs as governors may have enough power to protect their illegal trafficking in the entire state. On the other hand, I argue that in regions where territorial organizations have a strong presence, parties will be more likely to recruit candidates with crime connections at the local level (municipios). Because these organizations engage in other crimes, such as narcomenudeo and extortion, having local connections allow them to operate without punishment from local authorities. Their survival thus does not depend on crossing territories but solidifying their strength within territories.

 

I use both quantitative and qualitative methods. First, I collected an original dataset on candidates’ profiles at the state and municipal level for the years 2003-2016. I coded data for gubernatorial candidates from the 32 states in Mexico from the three major parties: Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI), Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) and Partido de la Revolución Democrática (PRD). I then collected data on candidates profiles to majors from these three parties for a random sample of municipalities in Mexico in 10 states. My municipal data has about 1500 observations. I also interviewed state and national party leaders from the parties in these states.

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