Wellington Fagundes amid criticism and election race in Mato Grosso 2026

Senator Wellington Fagundes (PL) faced public criticism from businessman Marcelo Maluf after Maluf was removed from the vice‑governor slot on Fagundes' gubernatorial ticket. Maluf said the decision broke a formal party agreement and called it a “lack of respect” for political commitments.

Mato Grosso’s party conventions finalized the slate of candidates for the 2026 elections. The governing coalition nominated Otaviano Pivetta (Republicanos) for governor, while Fagundes also entered the race. Ten candidates were registered for the state’s two Senate seats, including former governor Mauro Mendes (União Brasil) and former governor Reinaldo Azambuja (PL), who leads a poll with 30% support.

A Real Time Big Data poll scheduled for 12 August will test voter intentions for the governor’s race and the Senate contest, measuring support for candidates such as Pivetta, Fagundes, Natasha Slhessarenko (PSD) and others. The same poll will assess approval of the current state administration.

Separately, ex‑governor Mauro Mendes denied involvement in the R$ 308 million Oi tax‑credit deal investigated in Operation Heritage, claiming the agreement saved public funds and accusing political rivals of using the case for electoral gain.