Mato Grosso 2026 gubernatorial race: campaign spending limit set, ex‑mayor Pinheiro launches pre‑candidacy

Former Cuiabá mayor Emanuel Pinheiro (PSD) confirmed his pre‑candidacy for the governorship of Mato Grosso in the 2026 elections, saying his name was put forward by party bases and denying any maneuver to undermine fellow PSD candidate Natasha Slhessarenko.

The Brazilian Superior Electoral Court (TSE) maintained the campaign‑spending ceiling for Mato Grosso’s gubernatorial candidates at R$ 7.115 million for the first round, with an additional R$ 3.557 million allowed if a second round occurs. The same limits apply to the 2022 election. Senate candidates in the state may spend up to R$ 3.811 million, candidates for the Chamber of Deputies up to R$ 3.176 million, and state‑assembly candidates up to R$ 1.270 million. The decision follows TSE minister Kassio Nunes’ ruling not to adjust the caps for inflation, despite a $4.9 billion fund (FEFC) allocated for 2026 campaigns.