• Blanca Ovelar is a politician and former school teacher in Paraguay. She was a candidate for the ruling Colorado Party in the 2008 presidential elections. She was the first woman to run for president in Paraguay. Her defeat by Fernando Lugo marked the end of 61 years of continuous government by the Colorado Party.

• 1. Full name: Blanca Margarita Ovelar de Duarte
  2. Born: September 2, 1957
  3. Political party: Colorado Party
  4. Former Minister of Education for Paraguay
  5. Presidential candidate in the 2008 presidential election
  6. Lost presidential election to Fernando Lugo
  7. First woman to run for president in Paraguay
  8. Endorsed by incumbent President, Niconar Duarte
  9. Worked as a rural school teacher

• Road to Nomination

  Ovelar fought against former Vice President Luis Castiglioni in the Colorado Party's primary elections in December, 2007. Although she was officially endorsed by the incumbent President Duarte, results were close enough that a recount was necessary. It determined that Ovelar had won with 45.05% of the vote versus Castiglioni's 44.5%. Even after the recount, her opponent claimed fraud.International Herald Tribune: Ruling Party Schism Threatens Bid (January 22, 2008)

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