version september 20 story correct change political affiliation senator paragraph 12 gabriel stargardter mexico city less year presidential election mexico politicians fearful could punish voters misstep respond two major earthquakes kill 300 people month tolerance low years violence corruption tremor could undermine voters confidence rule party president enrique pena nieto entire political class clearly aware test flunk say senator miguel angel chico rule institutional revolutionary party pri pena nieto spring action month 8.1 magnitude earthquake sept. strong nearly century level part southern mexico kill least 98 people tuesday 7.1 tremor strike abort trip first quake disaster zone return mexico city 38 build collapse kill score people include 20 children school pena nieto go school rescuers search children adults trap inside death toll tuesday quake strike capital nearby state anniversary devastate 1985 tremor reach 230. politicians side call solidarity praise mexicans many volunteer help climb rubble search survivors come together nonetheless one figure loom large fallout quake instability may generate ahead july vote leftist andres manuel lopez obrador long bete noire mexico political establishment frontrunner many poll lopez obrador amlo know enjoy widespread support left-leaning capital home 20 million people former mexico city mayor narrowly lose two previous presidential elections praise supporters first quake propose donate 20 percent party federal campaign fund victims wednesday volunteer across mexico flock help remove debris donate supply grass-roots effort opposition national action party pan senator daniel avila say symptomatic widespread distrust political class government ability deliver think voters could look punish currently government manage situation well avila say pri run mexico uninterrupted 71 years currently place third poll know political damage earthquakes inflict pri president miguel de la madrid lead country powerful 1985 quake kill thousands mexico city exactly 32 years day tuesday tremor de la madrid widely criticize response worsen already broad discontent party corrupt authoritarian rule time quake pri gradually lose support vote 2000. party supporters hope swift response nationwide avoid repeat loss governors pri coalition partner green party office oaxaca chiapas state hardest-hit first quake month pri narrowly recent gubernatorial race state mexico longstanding party bastion least 12 people die wednesday accusations aid disproportionately benefit wealthy areas capital fashionable district like roma condesa receive organize assistance glut people arrive help little guidance best use resources volunteer struggle say 34-year-old art professor camila morales add poor district insufficient help outskirts south city ... help arrive still even power say morales part large volunteer group local university social media campaign emerge prevent politicians capitalize earthquake follow lopez obrador lead one petition seek get federal government divert electoral fund political party help victims quickly politicians jump board enrique ochoa pri chairman one leftist fierce critics wednesday tweet ask party get together resolve ... donate campaign money without pretense opportunism mexico politicians fear flunk quake test 2018 vote