Santa Catarina gubernatorial election history warns against favoritism

A historical review of Santa Catarina's gubernatorial elections highlights the unpredictability of political favoritism. While current Governor Jorginho Mello shows strong leads in recent polling, historical precedents in the state suggest that early advantages do not guarantee victory.

Key historical shifts include the 1994 comeback by Paulo Afonso Vieira, the 1998 defeat of his predecessor, and the 2002 victory of Luiz Henrique da Silveira, who overcame significant polling deficits. The analysis notes that political waves, such as the rise of the PT in 2002 or the Bolsonaro movement in 2018, have frequently disrupted established political trends in the region.