ovelar was backed for the colorado party nomination by president nicanor duarte. initial results showed ovelar narrowly defeating her rival for the nomination, former vice president luis castiglioni, in the party's primary, held in december 2007; however, the result was disputed, leading to a recount. on january 21, the colorado party electoral commission announced that ovelar had won with 45.04% of the vote against 44.5% for castiglioni, although castiglioni continued to claim victory.