Serving in the Peruvian Congress from 2001 to 2019 representing the constituency of Puno then, Lima, he attained the nomination under a left-wing platform in a competitive primary against the more conservative Alfredo Barnechea.[35] His support is based in the highlands, more punctually in Puno and surrounding rural areas.[36] Verónika Mendoza is Together for Peru's (JPP) nominee and leader of the democratic socialist New Peru movement.[37] Since she could not register her own party on time for the election, she sealed a political accord with JPP for her presidential run.