Political shifts and gender representation in Mato Grosso

The 2026 elections in Mato Grosso have highlighted both progress and persistent gaps in political gender equity. Gisela Simona (União) has been re-elected as vice-governor alongside Otaviano Pivetta (Republicanos), becoming only the second woman to hold the position in two decades.

Despite this milestone, Simona noted that female representation remains disproportionately low in legislative bodies. In the state's Legislative Assembly, only two of the 24 seats will be held by women starting in 2027. While the federal delegation showed more diversity with three women among eight seats, the uneven growth across different levels of government underscores the ongoing struggle for political equality.

In a separate political development, state deputy Júlio Campos (União) challenged claims made by Cuiabá Mayor Abilio Brunini (PL) regarding the decline of traditional political structures in the region. Campos contested the notion of a shift toward a ‘new politics,’ defending established political trajectories and questioning the use of municipal administrative structures during the electoral process.