Mexico ruling party takes early lead in regional election battle

By Dave Graham XALAPA, Mexico (Reuters) - Mexico's ruling party claimed an early advantage in hard fought regional elections on Sunday, battling widespread anger over corruption and gang violence against a fragmented opposition in a race that may set the tone for the 2018 presidential contest. President Enrique Pena Nieto's ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, had a clear lead in at least two of a dozen states up for grabs, and an advantage over rivals in several others, exit polls