three-time candidate and party’s founder ottón solís declined run for president for the fourth time opening the opportunity for new leaderships and the presidential nomination in one of costa rica’s major parties. four candidates were able to enroll their names; former deputy and vice presidential candidate epsy campbell, then deputy and former president of the legislative assembly juan carlos mendoza, former deputy ronald solís and college professor luis guillermo solís. none of the solis were related. other aspirants were businesswoman and former vice presidential nominee monica segnini, lawmaker claudio monge and former candidate in the previous primary and future ambassador in washington román macaya, but all dropped their candidacies for different reasons.