Paraíba Parties Set 2026 Convention Dates and Confirm Major Gubernatorial Candidates

From July 20 to August 5, 2026, Paraíba’s political parties will hold their mandatory conventions to formalise candidate slates for the state’s upcoming elections. The MDB has scheduled its convention for August 5, aiming to endorse former João Pessoa mayor Cícero Lucena as its gubernatorial candidate, with Diogo Cunha Lima as his running mate. The Liberal Party (PL) will meet on August 2, planning to nominate senator Efraim Filho for governor and former minister Marcelo Queiroga for the Senate. The Unidade Popular (UP) and Podemos have also announced conventions within the same window, confirming Yuri Ezequiel (UP) and other Senate hopefuls.

The race lacks female gubernatorial contenders for the first time since 2014, with all five declared pre‑candidates—Cícero Lucena (MDB), Efraim Filho (PL), incumbent Governor Lucas Ribeiro (Progressistas), Olímpio Rocha (PSOL) and Yuri Ezequiel (UP)—being men. Discussions continue over vice‑governor selections, notably Governor Ribeiro’s effort to achieve a “consensus” vice candidate by early August.

Ahead of the conventions, the Tribunal Regional Eleitoral da Paraíba (TRE‑PB) has called a meeting of party representatives on July 15 to align procedural guidance, including candidate registration and security measures amid concerns about criminal infiltration of party structures.