Pernambuco election: Lyra and Campos in technical tie

As the 2026 elections approach, current Pernambuco Governor Raquel Lyra (PSD) and former Recife Mayor João Campos (PSB) are in a technical tie for the governorship. According to recent Datafolha polling, Lyra holds 46% of total votes compared to Campos' 44%, with both candidates remaining within the three-percentage-point margin of error.

In a simulation of a second-round runoff, Lyra maintains a slight lead with 50% of valid votes against Campos' 46%. The polling also highlights a competitive race for the Senate, where Marília Arraes (PDT) and Humberto Costa (PT) are tied at 19% each, potentially leaving Lyra without her preferred Senate candidates if she wins.

The campaign has seen intense activity, including a final debate hosted by the Sistema Jornal do Commercio de Comunicação and various community visits. Recent political friction surfaced during a televised debate, where Campos challenged Lyra regarding a past controversial remark about sterilization without consent, an issue Lyra stated she had already addressed and apologized for.