Governor Raquel Lyra's Pernambuco Senate slate solidifies as one pre‑candidate skips final pre‑election event

Governor Raquel Lyra (PSD) is narrowing the field for the 2026 Pernambuco Senate race. At a government ceremony on 3 July, three of the four governing‑bloc pre‑candidates—Miguel Coelho (União Brasil), Túlio Gadêlha (PSD) and Fernando Dueire (PSD)—were present, while Eduardo da Fonte (PP), the candidate backed by the Federação União Progressista, did not attend. Da Fonte’s absence follows a pattern of limited visibility alongside the governor, raising speculation about his standing in the final slate.

The intra‑bloc competition also involves former state deputy Fabrizio Ferraz, who is expanding his political base in Terra Nova with opposition support, and former federal deputy Marília Arraes (PDT), who stresses the importance of the 2026 Senate election for national governance. These moves illustrate the broader realignment of parties and alliances in Pernambuco ahead of the 2026 elections.