Senator Cleitinho Azevedo confirms run for Minas Gerais governor amid party dispute
Senator Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos‑MG) announced at a press conference in Divinópolis on 29 July 2026 that he will be a candidate for the governorship of Minas Gerais. He stated that he will run with former Patos de Minas mayor Luís Eduardo Falcão as his vice‑governor candidate. Azevedo cited recent polls showing him leading the race with about 40 % support and declared, “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
The announcement came hours after the Republicanos state leadership issued a note saying the party would not accept his candidacy because he had not given a firm decision. Azevedo said he had tried to contact the party’s national president Marcos Pereira but could not reach him. He apologized to the party for any personal issues that caused the delay, referencing the recent death of his younger brother Matheus Augusto Azevedo from leukemia. Earlier, the senator posted an AI‑generated video in which digital versions of his deceased father and brother urged him to continue the political mission. Despite the party’s earlier dismissal, Azevedo affirmed he will not support any other candidate if he does not run himself.
Entities: Cleitinho Azevedo · Flávio Bolsonaro · Luiz Eduardo Falcão · Luís Eduardo Falcão · Marcos Pereira · Matheus Augusto Azevedo · Minas Gerais · Republican Party (Brazil) · Republicanos
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [DISPUTED] The Minas Gerais Republican Party issued a note stating Cleitinho Azevedo had not definitively confirmed his candidacy and later said the party would no longer support his run. (Party communication.)
- [DISPUTED] Senator Cleitinho Azevedo announced he will be a candidate for governor of Minas Gerais. (sources)
- [● 13 SOURCES] Cleitinho Azevedo attempted to contact Republican Party national president Marcos Pereira but was unable to reach him. (sources)
- [● 13 SOURCES] Cleitinho Azevedo postponed his candidacy announcement because his brother Matheus Augusto Azevedo died of leukemia. (sources)
- [● 13 SOURCES] Cleitinho Azevedo said he would not support any other candidate if he is not nominated by his party. (sources)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Cleitinho Azevedo posted an AI‑generated video showing his deceased father and brother urging him to continue his political mission. (sources)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Polls show Cleitinho Azevedo leading the Minas Gerais gubernatorial race with about 35‑40 % support. (sources)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Luis Eduardo Falcão will be the vice‑governor candidate on Cleitinho Azevedo's ticket. (sources)