Magno Malta Blocks Senate Candidacies of Evair and Meneguelli in Espírito Santo

Brazilian federal deputy Magno Malta used a legislative proposal (PL) to veto the Senate candidacies of Evair de Melo and Sergio Meneguelli. Both politicians were seen as potential rivals who could attract more votes than Malta’s daughter, Maguinha Malta, the first‑time candidate the party placed on the ticket. The veto aims to clear the path for Maguinha in the Espírito Santo Senate race, with backing from regional party leaders including Erick Musso of Republicanos. Meneguelli, a former mayor and the state’s top‑voted deputy, warned he would consider shifting his support to rival candidate Ricardo Ferraço of the MDB if his Senate ambitions are blocked. Evair, a loyalist of former president Jair Bolsonaro, said he will await further developments after the veto.

The maneuver illustrates intra‑party negotiations within the Republicanos coalition in Espírito Santo, where senior figures are leveraging candidacies to secure future political alliances and maintain control over the Senate ticket.