A political party with deep roots in neighboring Sonora finds itself losing power.

Since June, former Gov. Claudia Pavlovich was booted from the ranks of Mexico’s Institutional Revolutionary Party — or PRI, its four remaining state deputies defected to other parties, and this week, the preceding PRI governor — Eduardo Bours — reportedly put his party membership on pause, citing major differences with state and national leadership.

“In this state, where (the PRI) governed for 80, 90 years, it’s incredible to say it, but it’s marginal now,” said Jesus Moreno Durazo, a communications consultant and political analyst who is not affiliated with any party in Sonora. He said Sonora being the home state of PRI founder and former President Plutarco Elias Calles puts the situation in even starker relief.

Internal conflicts, bruising electoral defeats and the dominance of the current president’s Morena party are key factors, according to Moreno. And it’s a situation that he said will be difficult to turn around.