# Brazil 2026 election candidate reshuffles

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-2026-election-candidate-reshuffles
> Updated: 2026-08-02T20:27:00.000Z. Sources: 37. Developments: 2.

In early August 2026 Brazilian state‑level leaders were finalising election tickets. Governor Ricardo Ferraço of Espírito Santo considered new vice‑governor options after former candidate Sérgio Vidigal declined; the camp turned to a PP‑União Brasil federation figure, firefighter captain Andresa, to keep the federation’s backing. Senator Cid Gomes in Ceará outlined a fluid strategy for congressional and state‑assembly candidacies, signalling intra‑party negotiations ahead of the state elections. Theologian Leonardo Boff endorsed Ricardo Cappelli’s pre‑candidacy for the Federal District governorship, prompting the PSB executive to schedule a convention to formalise his nomination, while the PT prepared to present Leandro Grass with a broad left‑wing alliance. On 1 August, Ferraço confirmed Vidigal would not join the ticket and reiterated the open vice‑governor slot for a PP‑União Brasil nominee. State conventions across Brazil named candidates and forged alliances: Alagoas saw the Pereira family back Senator Renan Filho’s gubernatorial bid; Paraíba’s Senator Efraim Filho (PL) announced Nayana Pontes, wife of deputy Cabo Gilberto and leader of PL Mulher, as his vice‑governor after Juliana Cunha Lima withdrew, a move framed to consolidate Bolsonaro‑aligned voters. Efraim highlighted the choice as bringing a “Paraíba woman” to the ticket and thanked Senator Marcelo Queiroga for stepping aside. Analysts described the selection as a “vice raiz” strategy deepening the campaign’s bolsonarist alignment, a factor that could complicate a potential second‑round by requiring broader appeal. Flávio Bolsonaro attended the convention, reinforcing the alliance with the broader Bolsonaro‑aligned right. In Ceará, Cid Gomes confirmed Romeu Aldigueri will run for the Chamber of Deputies and Tainah Marinho for the state Assembly. In Paraíba, Luizianne Lins (Rede) is pushing for a second Senate slot on Governor Elmano de Freitas’ ticket. In Mato Grosso, Senator Wellington Fagundes (PL) named businessman Marcelo Maluf (Novo) as his vice‑governor, completing a three‑party alliance.

## Claims

- Senator Efraim Filho (PL) selected Nayana Pontes as his vice‑governor candidate in Paraíba. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The selection of Nayana Pontes is described as a “vice raiz” strategy that aligns the ticket with the bolsonarist right. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Juliana Cunha Lima declined the vice‑governor slot due to pregnancy and a recent loss. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Pereira family publicly endorsed Renan Filho (MDB) for the governorship of Alagoas. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Nayana Pontes is the wife of deputy Cabo Gilberto and president of PL Mulher. (single source)
- Cid Gomes (PSB) announced that Romeu Aldigueri will run for the Chamber of Deputies and Tainah Marinho for the state Assembly. (single source)
- Ricardo Ferraço (MDB) is considering a vice‑governor candidate from the PP/União Brasil federation, with several possible names mentioned. (single source)
- Luizianne Lins (Rede) is pressing to be the second Senate candidate on Governor Elmano de Freitas' ticket. (single source)
- Senator Wellington Fagundes (PL) chose businessman Marcelo Maluf (Novo) as his vice‑governor candidate in Mato Grosso. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-02: Theologian Leonardo Boff Endorses Ricardo Cappelli for Brazil's Federal District Governorship

Leonardo Boff backs PSB’s Ricardo Cappelli for Brazil’s Federal District governor, praising his role after the Jan 8, 2023 attacks; PSB will formalise his candidacy Monday.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/theologian-leonardo-boff-endorses-ricardo-cappelli-for-brazils-federal-district-governorship

### 2026-08-01: Paraíba, Espírito Santo and other states reshuffle vice candidates ahead of Brazil's 2026 elections

Brazil's 2026 state election tickets see multiple vice‑candidate changes, with Efraim Filho naming Nayana Pontes in Paraíba, Ferraço’s low‑profile vice in Espírito Santo, and other party realignments across the

35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ferraos-vice-pick-and-cid-gomes-candidate-shuffle-shape-brazils-state-elections

---
Cite as: Brazil 2026 election candidate reshuffles. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-2026-election-candidate-reshuffles