Brazil's PT and PL dominate Senate funding as states race for seats

The Brazilian Labour Party (PT) and the Liberal Party (PL) will receive the largest portions of the roughly R$5 billion Special Campaign Finance Fund for the 2026 elections. The PL is slated to get R$881.6 million, a 205.6% increase from 2022, while the PT will obtain R$615.3 million, up 22.3%. Both parties are concentrating their resources on the Senate contest in Acre, backing former governor Jorge Viana (PT) and incumbent senator Márcio Bittar (PL) as their sole major‑scale candidates in the state.

In Bahia, parties have already identified four pre‑candidates for governor and five for the Senate, though official nominations will be confirmed at conventions between 20 June and 5 August. Candidates may begin campaigning, seeking political support and fundraising ahead of the formal registration period, as Brazil’s electoral calendar moves toward the October vote.

These developments highlight how Brazil’s major parties are leveraging public financing to shape Senate races in key states ahead of the national election.