Minas Gerais Governorship Race Heats Up as PSB Fields Candidate and Cleitinho Azevedo Mulls Run

The Minas Gerais state branch of the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) announced it will present its own candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial election, despite Senator Rodrigo Pacheco’s recent decision to leave politics. The party cited four potential nominees: former Minas Gerais justice prosecutor Jarbas Soares Júnior, former AMM president Julvan Lacerda, entrepreneur and ex‑Fiesp leader Josué Gomes, and former senator and vice‑governor Clésio Andrade. The PSB argues the state needs a development project to boost growth, health, education and infrastructure.

Separately, state deputy Eduardo Azevedo, brother of Senator Cleitinho Azevedo, indicated that a decision on his sibling’s possible candidacy for the Minas Gerais governorship is imminent. He suggested the announcement could occur within days, mentioning that his brother might travel to Patos de Minas with presidential pre‑candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. Azevedo also discussed potential running‑mate options, naming Luis Eduardo Falcão, Vittorio Medioli and Flávio Roscoe as strong candidates for vice‑governor, though no final choice has been made.