A wealthy supermarket owner is the frontrunner to win Panama's presidential election on Sunday, with voters seeking reassurances about the economy during the global crisis. Conservative Ricardo Martinelli, 57, is leading in polls over ruling party candidate Balbina Herrera, whose past ties to a military strongman and anti-US stance have caused concern among some voters. The current president's party, PRD, has support from lower-income voters but has seen a decline in popularity due to rising prices and crime. Frustrated with unfulfilled promises, teacher Jose Cedeno, 52, spends a significant portion of his salary on increasingly expensive food and is eager for stability. Driven by the construction of luxury apartments, trade between the US and Asia passing through Panama's renowned canal, and a strong banking sector, Panama's economy based on the dollar has outperformed the rest of Latin America with growth rates nearing or exceeding double digits for the past two years. However, analysts are predicting a decrease in growth to 3 percent or less this year due to a decrease in credit availability, a decline in canal traffic, and a slowdown in activity in Panama's Caribbean free-trade zone. This has become a concern for voters who are frustrated with high inflation and widespread crime. In an April 23 poll, Martinelli was leading Herrera by 14 points and only needs to receive more votes than his opponent to win, even if he does not reach 50 percent of the votes. A victory for Martinelli would go against the trend of leftward shifts in many recent Latin American elections. As a self-made businessman educated in the US who owns Panama's largest supermarket chain and has served as a minister of Panama Canal affairs, Martinelli has pledged to invest heavily in infrastructure to create jobs if he is elected. Martinelli expressed his desire to implement a flat tax rate ranging from 10 to 20 percent. This would involve increasing taxes for the banking and insurance industries while reducing them for small business owners. His well-funded campaign, which surpassed Herrera's, included images of him working in a banana plantation and collecting garbage to appeal to lower-income voters who typically support the PRD. Additionally, his charity that supports education also contributed to his appeal among voters. According to Ercilia Ramos, a 60-year-old cattle farmer, Martinelli's wealth does not make him a thief as he is known for giving back to the less fortunate. The PRD's Herrera had a conflict with Washington in the past due to her involvement in protests against former U.S. President George H.W. Bush during his visit to Panama following the 1989 U.S. invasion that removed military dictator Gen. Manuel Noriega. Despite facing challenges in separating herself from her previous connections to Noriega, who is currently serving a prison sentence in Florida for drug trafficking and money laundering, Herrera, 54, asserts her commitment to maintaining strong relations with the U.S. Her campaign platform aligns closely with that of Martinelli's. Both candidates have stated that they plan to address issues of crime, inflation, poverty through education and infrastructure without significantly increasing the budget deficit. Foreign investors believe that neither candidate will negatively impact Panama's economy or investment climate. Developer Roger Khafif, who built the $450 million Trump Ocean Club in Panama City, expressed confidence in the country's business-friendly environment and minimal government interference, regardless of the election outcome. An agricultural engineer who transitioned into politics, Herrera has experience as a mayor, lawmaker, and housing minister. Raised in a tough Panama City neighborhood by a single mother who worked as a house cleaner, Herrera's background resonates with voters like Maria Zuniga, who sees her as tough on crime. Former President Guillermo Endara, 72, is a distant third in polls with only 5 percent support. Panamanians will also be voting for a new legislature on Sunday.