ever since the foundation of the reformist party, joaquín balaguer had been its candidate in the presidential elections, a position which continued after the merger with the christian social revolutionary party to create the christian social reformist party. this caused some disgust among young reformers like victor gomez berges and fernando alvarez bogaert who claimed that balaguer was too old (80) to run for the presidency, but he ultimately achieved the nomination with only token opposition from julio cesar castaños espaillat who only received one vote (his own). balaguer chose carlos morales troncoso, a successful businessman as his running mate.