Senator Cleitinho Azevedo delays Minas governor decision as Goiás hopeful Wilder Morais secures strategist

Senator Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos) has postponed announcing his candidacy for the Governorship of Minas Gerais until August, saying he will decide during the party conventions scheduled from 20 July to 5 August. His postponement has fueled tensions within the state Liberal Party (PL), which worries about limited time to endorse a candidate. Affected potential rivals include former Betim mayor Vittorio Medioli and Fiemg president Flávio Roscoe, while the PL is also focusing on its Senate candidate Domingos Sávio.

In a Senate speech, Cleitinho alleged that a local politician conveyed an offer of money from mining interests to persuade him to withdraw, and pledged to cut the state IPVA rate while increasing levies on miners if he wins. He emphasized that his political stance is not for sale and that voters will decide his fate.

Separately, Senator Wilder Morais (PL), a pre‑candidate for the Governorship of Goiás, is close to finalising a contract with communications consultant Marcelo Vitorino, pending the consultant’s completion of a campaign assignment in Rondônia. The partnership would repeat the successful 2022 Senate‑campaign strategy that helped Morais secure his seat.