Omar Fayad

Omar Fayad Meneses (born 26 August 1962[1]) is a Mexican politician from the state of Hidalgo who has served as a federal deputy and senator. He is currently the Governor of Hidalgo after winning the 2016 gubernatorial election. He is a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party.

Fayad was born on 26 August 1962 in Zempoala, Hidalgo to a Lebanese father and a Mexican mother.[1][2] He obtained his law degree from the UNAM in 1985.[1] After his graduation, he worked in Attorney General of Mexico’s office for several years. In 1989, he moved to the National Institute of Penal Sciences (INACIPE) and later served at various education posts in the state of Hidalgo. He served as Hidalgo’s secretary of public education and attorney general during 1996–98.[1] He then served in several public safety and security capacities, including as a police commissioner or customs administrator.[1] He also made regular appearances on radio programs as a political analyst.[1]

In 2000, Fayad was elected to the LVIII Legislature as a federal deputy, serving as secretary of Special Commission on Public Safety and sitting on the Communications, Government and Public Safety Committees.[1] He resigned in April 2003.[3]

After his brief spell in Congress, Fayad returned to the Hidalgo state government, serving as Secretary of Agriculture (2003–05) and Secretary of Social Development (2005–06). In 2006, he ran for and won the municipal presidency of Pachuca. During his mayoral spell, he presided over Mexico’s mayor association.[1]

In 2009, Fayad returned to Congress, serving as parliamentary secretary of the Commission of Strengthening Federalism.[1] Three years later, he ran and won a campaign for Senate, where he would serve in the LXII and LXIII Legislatures. He served on an array of commissions, including Public Safety, which he presided.[1]

In 2010, Fayad was selected as the leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party in Hidalgo.[1][4] Fayad was strongly criticized in October 2015 when he attempted to introduce a new law against cybercrime that also criminalized the freedom of expression. One organization billed it “the worst Internet-related bill in history”.[5]

On 2 February 2016, Fayad left the Senate in order to seek the PRI nomination for Governor of Hidalgo.[6] He won the gubernatorial election later that year and was sworn-in as governor on 5 September 2016.