Pernambuco gubernatorial race shows technical tie between Campos and Lyra

Political activity in Pernambuco and Paraíba is intensifying ahead of the 2026 elections. A new Real Time Big Data poll shows a technical tie in the Pernambuco gubernatorial race between incumbent Raquel Lyra (PSD) and former Recife Mayor João Campos (PSB). In a first-round simulation, Campos holds a 44% to 43% lead, while a second-round runoff shows both candidates at exactly 44%.

In Pernambuco, other candidates include Renan Hallais (4%) and Ivan Moraes (1%). For the Senate, Marília Arraes leads with 27%, followed by Mendonça Filho (21%) and Humberto Costa (20%).

In Paraíba, Governor Lucas Ribeiro (PP) leads the gubernatorial race in campaign funding with R$ 7.61 million. During a campaign walk in João Pessoa, Ribeiro emphasized security and economic development. Meanwhile, in Pernambuco, Senator Humberto Costa (PT) has secured the support of Cabrobó Mayor Galego de Nanai, strengthening his reelection bid.

Governor Raquel Lyra has also been active in Recife, announcing investments in public lighting and the construction of a new daycare center in the Vila Tamandaré community. She also proposed opening 30 new state technical schools to address labor shortages.