Jair Renan Bolsonaro Announces Pre‑Candidacy for Congress in Santa Catarina

Jair Renan Bolsonaro, a councilor from Balneário Camboriú and the youngest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, announced on social media his pre‑candidacy for a federal deputy seat in the 2026 elections representing Santa Catarina. He said, "Cumprindo a missão que meu pai, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, me deu: continuar lutando pelos brasileiros e defender os valores que sempre nos uniram."

Renan transferred his electoral domicile to Santa Catarina, where he was elected mayoral councilor in 2024 with the highest vote count in the municipality. He has secured backing from state governor Jorginho Mello and joins a crowded field of PL candidates for the right‑wing vote. The move is part of a broader strategy by the Bolsonaro family to expand their political influence in the southern state.

Renan also faces a criminal investigation in Brasília, where he is a defendant for alleged money‑laundering, falsification of documents and use of a false identity to obtain a R$ 360,000 loan. His lawyers claim he was the victim of a fraud scheme. The case remains open in the 5th Criminal Court of Brasília.