Former Brazilian Mayors Claim Credit for New Public Works Ahead of Elections

In Piraí do Norte, former mayor Ulysses Veiga posted on social media after Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues inaugurated several projects, asserting that "the people know" who secured the investments, a jab at current mayor Fabiano Pereira as the municipality seeks to leverage state funding ahead of the 2026 elections.

Similarly, ex‑mayor Paula Lemos of Barretos published a remembrance of her role in conceiving and financing a major avenue project that began construction in 2024. She highlighted her negotiation of a state grant and the challenges faced during the pandemic, arguing that while current officials continue the work, the original vision and funding originated under her administration. Both statements illustrate a pattern of former local leaders seeking to associate themselves with newly announced infrastructure as political positioning intensifies before upcoming elections.