On our first episode of 2018, we talk with Tony Payan, director of the Baker Institute Mexico Center and recap what happened over the winter break in Mexico. The candidate list for the presidential race appears to be set and more than primaries, the pre-campaigns look a lot like regular campaigns. We also discuss his latest publication which analyses rising crime and violence in Mexico that threatens to derail the economic reforms, available here: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/media/files/files/22b0d56a/bi-brief-121817-mex-security.pdf The Mexico Centered podcast is part of the Mexico Center's Mexico Election Resource Center, which is available at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/mexico-2018-election-resource-center/ The Resource Center seeks to provide information on Mexico’s 2018 election, including the parties, candidates and key issues, as well as in-depth analysis in order to inform a more comprehensive conversation on the election and its impact on the binational relationship. The Mexico Centered podcast is hosted by Enrique Quezada, graduate fellow at the Baker Institute Mexico Center.