Grendene co-founder donates R$ 2.5 million to Rio Grande do Sul candidate

Alexandre Grendene Bartelle, co-founder and president of the footwear company Grendene, has donated R$ 2.5 million to the campaign of Federal Deputy Zucco (PL-RS) for the governorship of Rio Grande do Sul. According to data from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), this represents the largest individual donation received by a candidate as of Friday, August 21.

Bartelle has also allocated R$ 500,000 to the campaign of Ciro Gomes (PSDB), who is running for governor of Ceará. Grendene, founded in Farroupilha (RS), operates three of its five factories in Ceará, with its largest industrial complex located in Sobral.

This follows a pattern of significant political contributions by Bartelle. In 2022, he distributed over R$ 6.3 million to various candidates and the PDT municipal directory in Fortaleza, including R$ 1 million each to Jair Bolsonaro and Senator Camilo Santana.