Daniella Ribeiro faces legal challenge to Senate candidacy

A legal challenge has been filed against Senator Daniella Ribeiro’s candidacy for a substitute Senate seat in Paraíba. The petition, submitted to the Electoral Justice by attorney Olímpio Rocha, argues that Ribeiro is subject to “reflexive ineligibility” under Article 14, § 7º of the Brazilian Constitution.

The rule prohibits first-degree relatives of heads of the Executive branch from running for office within the same jurisdiction. Because Ribeiro is the mother of the current Governor of Paraíba, Lucas Ribeiro, who is seeking reelection, the challenge claims she is ineligible to compete in the state.

The legal argument hinges on the interpretation of a constitutional exception that allows relatives to run if the incumbent is seeking reelection for their current mandate. While Ribeiro is a sitting Senator, the challenge notes she is not seeking reelection to her current seat, but is instead running as a first substitute on Nabor Wanderley’s ticket, which the petitioner argues does not qualify for the exception.