Background
Larrañaga grew up and attended school in Paysandú.
Larrañaga grew up and attended school in Paysandú.
He studied law at the Universidad de la República and practiced until 1990, specializing in civil and labour law.
He is a senator (2000–2004, 2005–present) and was Intendant of Paysandú (1990–1999). He was the presidential candidate of the National Party (Blancos) in 2004. He took a series of administrative posts in the National Party, culminating in his presidency of the Party"s departmental commission in Paysandú (1985–1989).
He unsuccessfully contested internal party elections for vice presidential candidate in 1999.
Technically it was Juan Andrés Ramírez who was running for presidential candidate that year. On October 31, 2004 a national election was held.
Larrañaga obtained over 34% of the vote. In June, he ran again in the internal party election looking to be presidential candidate.
Elected "intendente" in 1989, he won a second term in 1994. Had Ramírez won, it was assumed the National Convention of the National Party would choose Larrañaga as the vice presidential candidate as Ramírez-Larrañaga were seen as a joint ticket. In 2004 he won the internal party election and was chosen as the party"s presidential candidate. The election was won by Tabaré Vázquez who obtained over 50% of the vote. This election was won by Luis Alberto Lacalle and Larrañaga was to be the candidate to the vice presidency in the October general elections.
