# Brazil 2026 election candidate activity > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-rio-de-janeiro-election-race > Updated: 2026-07-31T12:04:29.000Z. Sources: 109. Developments: 26. Candidate activity in Brazil’s 2026 elections continued to broaden in July. The Novo Party named businessman Mauro Campos as its Senate pre‑candidate for Rio de Janeiro, while André Marinho (Novo) launched a governor‑race critique of incumbent Eduardo Paes. On 9 June a slate of eleven pre‑candidates for the Rio governorship and seven for the Senate was released, adding names such as Anthony Garotinho, Wilson Witzel and Benedita da Silva. The PSD announced federal deputy Pedro Paulo as its Rio Senate pre‑candidate, and the PL considered Carlos Bolsonaro for a Santa Catarina Senate seat while influencer Breno Faria entered the Chamber race in Rio. Paes reinforced his municipal network, receiving endorsements from mayors in Natividade and Paracambi and touring the Porto do Açu complex, where he pledged road improvements, railway upgrades and broader infrastructure investment. He also faced criticism from the teachers’ union over education policies. A Paraná Pesquisas poll placed Paes at 54 % in a simulated mayoral race, while a Prefab Future poll in early July showed his governorship support at 34 % amid rising figures for Douglas Ruas and Anthony Garotinho. Other notable moves included the Supreme Court’s injunction allowing former mayor Marcelo Crivella to run for the Rio Senate, Washington Quaquá’s endorsement of Benedita da Silva, and the emergence of Patrus Ananias as the PT’s Minas Gerais gubernatorial candidate after Lula’s personal appeal. New pre‑candidacies were announced in Santa Catarina (Fabiano da Luz, Jair Renan Bolsonaro), Espírito Santo (Gilvan da Federal), and nationwide (Igor Franco, Luis Fabiano). Voter registration in Rio rose to 12.86 million, and the Republicanos formally nominated Anthony Garotinho for governor. ## Claims - 12,857,000 voters are eligible to vote in Rio de Janeiro for the 2026 elections. (corroborated by 19 sources) - 81.06% of Rio's eligible voters have biometric registration. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Rio de Janeiro accounts for 8.10% of Brazil's national electorate, the third‑largest electoral college. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The number of eligible voters increased by 0.23% (29,704) compared with the 2022 election. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Eduardo Paes has 48.6% intention to vote in the stimulated poll for Rio de Janeiro governor. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Anthony Garotinho has 11% intention to vote in the simulated poll for Rio de Janeiro governor. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Douglas Ruas has 11.1% intention to vote in the simulated poll for Rio de Janeiro governor. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Eduardo Paes leads the governor race by about 37.5 percentage points over the nearest rival. (corroborated by 4 sources) - In a simulated second‑round against Douglas Ruas, Eduardo Paes would receive 60.1% of the vote. (corroborated by 4 sources) - In a simulated second‑round against Anthony Garotinho, Eduardo Paes would receive 61.1% of the vote. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Wilson Witzel withdrew his pre‑candidacy for Rio de Janeiro governor and endorsed Anthony Garotinho. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Anthony Garotinho is a pre‑candidate for Rio de Janeiro governor representing the Republicanos party. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Benedita da Silva leads the Senate race with 29.8% in the simulated poll. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Eduardo Paes leads recent polls for Rio de Janeiro governor with about 38% support. (single source) - The capital city Rio de Janeiro has 4,950,429 eligible voters. (single source) - São Gonçalo has 653,494 eligible voters. (single source) - Duque de Caxias has 635,079 eligible voters. (single source) - Nova Iguaçu has 615,377 eligible voters. (single source) - A Prefab Future poll shows Eduardo Paes leading the Rio de Janeiro governor race with 34.5% voting intention. (single source) - The same Prefab Future poll gives Douglas Ruas 10.9% voting intention for Rio de Janeiro governor. (single source) - A Prefab Future survey identified the 30 most‑cited candidates for Rio de Janeiro’s federal and state deputy elections. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Rio de Janeiro voter rolls hit 12.86 million ahead of 2026 vote Rio de Janeiro’s 2026 voter roll reaches 12.86 million (81% biometric). Garotinho named Republicanos governor candidate; Paes leads polls at 34.5%, with Ruas and Garotinho trailing. Deputy‑candidate citation榜公布 55 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-governor-race-stays-volatile-as-eduardo-paes-leads-in-polls ### 2026-07-19: Luis Fabiano launches pre‑candidacy for Brazil federal deputy seat Ex‑São Paulo forward Luis Fabiano announces a pre‑candidacy for federal deputy in São Paulo, pledging to champion youth sport, health, jobs and digital inclusion. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/luis-fabiano-launches-precandidacy-for-brazil-federal-deputy-seat ### 2026-07-18: Igor Franco launches pre-campaign for Brazil's Federal Chamber with Gayer's backing Goiânia councilor Igor Franco (Podemos) announced his 2026 pre‑candidacy for Brazil’s Federal Chamber, backed by Gustavo Gayer, citing over R$22 million in health and sports funding and a statewide campaign. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/igor-franco-launches-pre-campaign-for-brazils-federal-chamber-with-gayers-backing ### 2026-07-16: Brazilian Left-Wing Pre‑Candidates Launch Regional Campaigns PSTU’s Hertz Dias launched his 2026 presidential pre‑candidacy in Curitiba, outlining socialist policies, while PT’s Fernando Haddad campaigned in São José do Rio Preto, pledging data‑driven governance and a re 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazilian-left-wing-precandidates-launch-regional-campaigns ### 2026-07-16: Eduardo Paes bars deputy Lucinha's party label in Rio elections Eduardo Paes, PSD pre‑candidate for Rio governor, blocked deputy Lucinha’s party label for the October state‑assembly race, citing security priorities amid militia allegations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eduardo-paes-bars-deputy-lucinhas-party-label-in-rio-elections ### 2026-07-15: Patrus Ananias Named PT Candidate for Minas Gerais Governorship PT national names former mayor and ex‑minister Patrus Ananias as its Minas Gerais governor candidate, sparking backlash from state party leaders. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/patrus-ananias-named-pts-likely-candidate-for-minas-gerais-governorship ### 2026-07-14: Gilvan da Federal cleared to launch 2026 pre‑candidacy in Espírito Santo TSE permits Gilvan da Federal's 2026 pre‑candidacy despite convictions, while Psol keeps Professor Fabian on the Senate ticket, sparking intra‑left debate in Espírito Santo. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gilvan-da-federal-cleared-to-launch-2026-precandidacy-in-esprito-santo ### 2026-07-13: Lula urges veteran PT leader Patrus Ananias to run for Minas Gerais governorship Lula has personally asked veteran PT member Patrus Ananias to run for Minas Gerais governor, highlighting the state’s electoral weight and fiscal woes amid PT’s internal candidate debates. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lula-urges-veteran-pt-leader-patrus-ananias-to-run-for-minas-gerais-governorship ### 2026-07-10: Brazilian union leader Márcio Ayer launches Senate bid in Rio Union chief Márcio Ayer announced his PCdoB Senate pre‑candidacy in Rio, pledging to end the 6 × 1 work schedule and citing broad labor support. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazilian-union-leader-mrcio-ayer-launches-senate-bid-in-rio ### 2026-07-08: Patrus Ananias poised for Minas Gerais governor race after talks with Lula Patrus Ananias is the PT frontrunner for Minas Gerais governor in 2026, pending a 14 July meeting with President Lula to confirm his candidacy and discuss a university‑status bill for Cefet‑MG. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-dorinha-exmayor-marlia-campos-and-activist-elcimara-loureiro-announce-2026-bids ### 2026-07-07: Eduardo Paes vows road work and social program support in Rio de Janeiro campaign tour Eduardo Paes, Rio de Janeiro gubernatorial hopeful, promised to finish the RJ‑238 road, boost security in Campos, and praised Maricá’s royalty‑funded social programs, urging continued oil‑royalty support ahead 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eduardo-paes-vows-road-work-and-social-program-support-in-rio-de-janeiro-campaign-tour ### 2026-07-07: Washington Quaquá backs Benedita da Silva’s Senate bid in Rio de Janeiro Washington Quaquá, mayor of Maricá, endorses Benedita da Silva’s Senate run, urging political unity in Rio ahead of the 2026 elections. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/washington-quaqu-backs-benedita-da-silvas-senate-bid-in-rio-de-janeiro ### 2026-07-06: Rio de Janeiro governor race: Eduardo Paes falls to 34% in new Prefab poll A new Prefab poll puts Rio de Janeiro governor hopeful Eduardo Paes at 33.9%, down from earlier highs, while Douglas Ruas rises to 10.3% and Anthony Garotinho to 8.7%; regional gaps and gender differences are ​ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-governor-race-eduardo-paes-falls-to-34-in-new-prefab-poll ### 2026-07-05: Jair Renan Bolsonaro Announces Pre‑Candidacy for Congress in Santa Catarina Jair Renan Bolsonaro, Balneário Camboriú councilor and son of former president, announced his pre‑candidacy for Brazil’s federal deputy seat from Santa Catarina, citing his father’s mission and backed by Gov. J 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jair-renan-bolsonaro-announces-precandidacy-for-congress-in-santa-catarina ### 2026-07-04: Fabiano da Luz launches pre‑candidacy for Santa Catarina state legislature amid broader Brazil candidate rallies Fabiano da Luz, Julinho Fuzari and De Assis Diniz launched pre‑candidacies for state legislatures in Brazil, each drawing large crowds and party support ahead of the 2026 elections. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fabiano-da-luz-launches-precandidacy-for-santa-catarina-state-legislature-amid-broader-brazil-candid ### 2026-07-03: Eduardo Paes Leads Rio Mayoral Poll with 54% First‑Round Support Paraná Pesquisas poll of 1,600 Rio voters shows former mayor Eduardo Paes leading the 2026 mayoral race with 54.2% support, far ahead of Douglas Ruas (14.6%). A separate national survey indicated a tie between 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eduardo-paes-leads-rio-mayoral-poll-with-54-firstround-support ### 2026-07-01: Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Clears Marcelo Crivella to Run for Senate in Rio Brazil's TSE judge lifts Marcelo Crivella's Senate ban, suspending a conviction tied to the 'QG da Propina' scheme and allowing him to run in Rio. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazilian-courts-advance-rio-de-janeiro-interim-governor-election-and-clear-senate-candidacy ### 2026-06-26: Eduardo Paes tours Porto do Açu and outlines Rio state pre‑campaign priorities Eduardo Paes visited the strategic Porto do Açu, then outlined his Rio state pre‑campaign focusing on infrastructure, tourism, fisheries, and anti‑crime measures. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eduardo-paes-tours-porto-do-au-and-outlines-rio-state-precampaign-priorities ### 2026-06-24: Eduardo Paes tours Porto do Açu and faces education union criticism Eduardo Paes inspected the Porto do Açu hub, emphasizing its economic role, while Rio’s teachers’ union rebuked his education remarks and demanded salary and job security reforms. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eduardo-paes-tours-porto-do-au-and-faces-education-union-criticism ### 2026-06-23: Eduardo Paes tours Porto do Açu, urges state to improve road access Eduardo Paes visited Porto do Açu, called it a strategic crown, and urged Rio state to improve road access and railway links, receiving a local honor in São João da Barra. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eduardo-paes-tours-porto-do-au-urges-state-to-improve-road-access ### 2026-06-22: Eduardo Paes Secures Municipal Backing in Rio de Janeiro Ahead of 2026 Governor Race Rio de Janeiro’s Eduardo Paes gains support from Natividade mayor Taninho Toledo and Paracambi mayor André Ceciliano, who hosted events to rally interior municipalities ahead of the 2026 governor race. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eduardo-paes-secures-municipal-backing-in-rio-de-janeiro-ahead-of-2026-governor-race ### 2026-06-22: Brazil's PL Party Announces Senate Bid by Carlos Bolsonaro and Chamber Run by Influencer Breno Faria Carlos Bolsonaro launched a Senate pre‑candidacy in Santa Catarina and influencer Breno Faria announced a Chamber pre‑candidacy in Rio, both under Brazil's Liberal Party (PL). 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-pl-party-announces-senate-bid-by-carlos-bolsonaro-and-chamber-run-by-influencer-breno-faria ### 2026-06-16: Brazilian politicians announce 2026 Senate and legislative pre‑candidacies Brazilian parties named Senate and legislative pre‑candidates for 2026: Pedro Paulo (RJ), Samanda Alves (RN), Rose de Freitas (ES), a PL contest between Carlos Jordy and Carlos Portinho (RJ), and ex‑mayor C. E. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-senate-races-draw-party-rivalries-and-candidate-pledges ### 2026-06-09: Rio de Janeiro pre‑candidates for governor and Senate announced Eleven pre‑candidates for Rio de Janeiro governor and seven for the Senate have been listed ahead of the October 2026 elections; conventions run 20 June–5 August, and candidates may already campaign and raise f 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-announces-11-governor-and-7-senate-precandidates-for-2026-election ### 2026-06-04: Rio de Janeiro 2026 governor race faces voter criticism and new candidacy André Marinho, an outsider, announces his bid for Rio de Janeiro governor in 2026, criticizing incumbent Eduardo Paes, while broader election commentary highlights candidates’ neglect of voters and cites micro‑ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-2026-governor-race-faces-voter-criticism-and-new-candidacy ### 2026-05-14: Novo Party Names Businessman Mauro Campos as Senate Pre‑Candidate in Rio de Janeiro Novo fields businessman Mauro Campos as a Senate pre‑candidate for Rio de Janeiro ahead of the 2026 election. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/novo-party-names-businessman-mauro-campos-as-senate-precandidate-in-rio-de-janeiro --- Cite as: Brazil 2026 election candidate activity. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-rio-de-janeiro-election-race