Daniel Santos faces personal scandal as he secures Podemos nomination for Pará governor

The Podemos party held its convention in Ananindeua, formally nominating former Ananindeua mayor Dr. Daniel Santos as its candidate for the 2026 Pará governorship. In his acceptance speech Santos highlighted his rural upbringing, medical background and pledged investments in education, health and the elimination of state highway tolls.

At the same time, Santos became the subject of a personal scandal. Unverified rumors of an affair and a leaked intimate video circulated on social media, prompting criticism from Christian‑voting groups. Santos and his wife, federal deputy Alessandra Haber, responded on social media, stating that the material was being used for political attacks and asserting, “Não é a primeira vez que, por sede de poder, eles atacam a nossa vida pessoal.”

The controversy has intensified debate over the relevance of a candidate’s private conduct to public trust, especially among voters who prioritize family and religious values. Despite the accusations, Santos has not publicly denied the allegations and continues his campaign, with polls indicating a tight race against incumbent governor Hana Ghassan.