The mayors who rule the rankings. Who’s gaining the most public trust and approval in Mexico?

Public trust and citizen approval have become the most accurate thermometer to measure the success of a mayor in times of economic uncertainty, insecurity, and growing social demands. In a year marked by political transitions in Mexico and the upcoming 2026 presidential elections in the United States, municipal governments are gaining renewed importance on the binational agenda. The national telephone survey conducted by Massive Caller on June 5, 2025, offers a clear snapshot of which local leaders are building trust, implementing effective strategies, and responding to their communities’ most urgent needs.

In the national ranking of mayoral approval, the top spot goes to César Garza Arredondo of Apodaca, Nuevo León, with an impressive 71.4% approval rating, backed by a broad coalition of PAN-PRI-PRD. This is no coincidence: Apodaca has become one of the key industrial hubs in northern Mexico, attracting nearshoring investments thanks to its logistics infrastructure, industrial parks, and proximity to Texas. Garza has leveraged this advantage through efficient governance, digitalization of public services, and improved infrastructure.

In second place, with 68.2% approval, is Mauricio Fernández Garza of San Pedro Garza García, also in Nuevo León. Traditionally a wealthy conservative stronghold, San Pedro has innovated in areas like public safety and transparency, implementing artificial intelligence monitoring systems and real-time public budget access platforms. Next is María Geraldine Ponce Méndez in Tepic, Nayarit (MORENA), with 66.0%, leading with a human rights-based management model, gender equity policies, and a youth-oriented local economic reactivation strategy.

The highest-rated municipalities share common features: strong leadership, pragmatic coalitions, and a tech-forward vision for local government. Fourth place goes to Romina Contreras Carrasco in Huixquilucan (PAN) with 65.1%, noted for her organized urban development and digital transformation. Andrés Concepción Mijes Llovera in General Escobedo (MORENA, 65.0%) and Giovani Gutiérrez in Coyoacán (PRI-PAN-PRD, 64.8%) follow closely, both executing hybrid strategies that combine grassroots presence with institutional strength.

In the overall approval index, these mayors maintain top positions, reinforcing that public perception is not just momentary but a result of sustained, results-driven governance. The Massive Caller survey—based on 600 phone interviews per municipality with a margin of error of +/- 4.3%—cross-references indicators like governance, perceived safety, administrative efficiency, and citizen trust.

When it comes to trust perception, a critical indicator in a country struggling with institutional skepticism, San Pedro Garza García once again leads, with 60.8%. It is followed by Apodaca with 53.5%, Coyoacán with 50.6%, and General Escobedo with 50.0%. These municipalities share a clear pattern: the adoption of direct communication platforms, digital governance tools, and transparent budgeting practices.

In stark contrast, the 20 mayors with the lowest approval ratings reflect a mix of structural challenges, weak institutional performance, and poor political communication. At the bottom is Azucena Cisneros Coss (MORENA)of Ecatepec, State of Mexico, with a mere 20.9% approval, followed by José Luis Urióstegui (PAN-PSD) of Cuernavaca, Morelos with 25.3%, and Carlos Orvañanos Rea (PRI-PAN-PRD) of Cuajimalpa, Mexico City with 25.6%. These numbers signal major governance challenges in high-density urban areas with violent crime, failing public services, and fractured intergovernmental coordination.

A political trend also emerges. While top performers belong to strong coalitions and often have technocratic backgrounds, many of the lowest-ranking mayors are from MORENA, frequently with limited administrative experience or weak local structures—potentially foreshadowing trouble for the party in the 2027 midterms. Public disaffection in these regions could lead to lower tax compliance, higher abstention rates, and increased criminal influence.

This landscape outlines a strategic agenda for 2025. Municipal governments must integrate technology, citizen participation, and collaborative governance models with both the private sector and international partners. With the ongoing nearshoring wave—particularly in states like Nuevo León, Coahuila, and Chihuahua—the pressure on public services, housing, and mobility will intensify. The ability of mayors to proactively manage this transformation will be critical.

The international context also matters. The potential re-election of Joe Biden or a comeback by Donald Trump in 2026 will reshape U.S. federal priorities around immigration, security, and cross-border trade. This means Mexican mayors must build stronger relationships with their U.S. counterparts to promote binational initiatives—ranging from smart industrial parks to policy exchanges on housing, water, and digital security.

The data from Massive Caller reaffirms a central truth: municipalities that invest in strategic planning, transparency, and digital transformation earn public trust and approval. Citizens reward tangible outcomes, clear communication, and accountability. In a polarized Mexico navigating globalization and decentralization, local governments are becoming the new center of political transformation. For mayors topping the rankings, 2025 could be a springboard to national leadership roles. But to get there, they must continue building trust from the ground up—with vision, action, and binational cooperation.

Written by: Editorial

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