The internal vote, held on August 1 under the supervision of CCM Deputy Secretary General John Mongella, saw Jesca secure 391 votes, placing her second on the Mainland list, just behind outgoing legislator Ng'wasi Kamani, who garnered 409 votes.
The results mark a crucial step in Jesca's bid to enter Parliament, a path once taken by her father nearly three decades ago.
Raised in Chato, Geita region, Jesca has embraced the values her father championed.
At the recent event, she told supporters: 'I was raised on the principles of hard work, integrity, and self-reliance. My main mission is to defend, collaborate, but most importantly, to speak out loudly in the political, economic, and developmental journey.
"I have the intention and vision to ensure that the manifesto of our CCM party for the years 2020-2025, with the slogan 'Work and Integrity, We Move Forward,' is implemented for the broad interests of our nation, Tanzania.'
John Magufuli began his own political journey in 1995 when he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Chato district. His reputation as a firm and efficient leader grew during his long ministerial career, particularly in the Ministry of Works, where he earned the nickname 'The Bulldozer' for his aggressive push on infrastructure projects.
From 1995 to 2015, he held key portfolios, including Minister of Lands, Livestock, and ultimately Works, roles that laid the foundation for his nomination as CCM's presidential candidate in 2015.
After securing 58% of the national vote in the general election, he was sworn in as Tanzania's fifth president in November 2015. His presidency was characterised by strong anti-corruption rhetoric, infrastructure expansion, and a focus on public sector discipline, a legacy that continues to shape Tanzanian politics.
Jesca's rise in the CCM Youth Wing polls now positions her as one of the party's promising young figures, seeking to contribute to national leadership from within Parliament.
While she has yet to secure the seat officially, the final list still awaits ratification by the party's top organs. Her strong showing signals both personal ambition and a symbolic continuation of her family's political legacy.
If successful, Jesca Magufuli will join a new generation of leaders stepping into the political spotlight, and she'll do so by walking a path first paved by her father.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
