Sandra Torres

GUATEMALA CITY – Comedian Jimmy Morales jumped to a massive lead in Guatemala's presidential race as counting got under way Sunday, after a campaign upended by a corruption scandal that felled the outgoing president.

GUATEMALA CITY – Guatemalans began casting ballots in a presidential runoff Sunday, choosing between a comedian with no political experience and a former first lady, amid the fallout of a massive corruption scandal.

On Oct. 25, comedian Jimmy Morales will face off in a runoff presidential election against populist former first lady Sandra Torres. Some voters see Morales as a candidate who might be a change from Guatemala’s status quo corruption. Others are concerned about his military supporters.

Manuel Baldizón's exit leaves a former first lady to face off against a comedian who made his name playing a simpleton who almost becomes president.

Comedian-turned-politician Jimmy Morales, 46, currently is in the lead to become Guatemala's next president by a wide margin. But in a surprise for many, former First Lady Sandra Torres – who for much of the campaign polled in a distant third place – was neck-and-neck with Líder party candidate Manuel Baldizón for a second-place spot in an Oct. 25 runoff election.