# Minas race: Shifting alliances and intensifying campaigns > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-minas-gerais-governorship-race > Updated: 2026-09-10T00:09:10.000Z. Sources: 146. Developments: 15. The political landscape in Minas Gerais continues to evolve as candidates for the state government and Senate intensify their campaigns. In the gubernatorial race, recent Datafolha research indicates that Senator Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos) is leading the first round with 37% of the vote. He is followed by Patrus Ananias (PT) at 13% and Alexandre Kalil at 11%. In simulated second-round scenarios, Cleitinho maintains a lead over both candidates. Regarding the Senate, the informal ‘Marécio’ movement—attempting to link Marília Campos (PT) and Aécio Neves (PSDB)—has gained further traction among local leaders and voters, despite both campaigns denying a formal agreement. Neves, who is running on the ticket supporting Alexandre Kalil, has also received official support from Betim Mayor Heron Guimarães during a recent campaign event. ## Claims - The Republicanos party reversed its previous veto and officially authorized Cleitinho Azevedo's candidacy. (disputed by 15 sources) - Senator Cleitinho Azevedo announced his candidacy for the Minas Gerais governorship in Divinópolis on August 7, 2026. (disputed by 11 sources) - Senator Cleitinho Azevedo announced his withdrawal from the Minas Gerais governor race on 3 August 2026. (disputed by 10 sources) - Party president Marcos Pereira rejected Cleitinho's request, stating the party will not reopen the candidacy. (disputed by 8 sources) - Republicanos reversed its veto and authorized Cleitinho Azevedo to run for governor of Minas Gerais. (disputed by 7 sources) - Aécio Neves confirmed his candidacy for the Senate in Minas Gerais. (corroborated by 16 sources) - Marcelo Heringer withdrew his candidacy for the Senate. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Senator Cleitinho Azevedo announced he will be a candidate for governor of Minas Gerais. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Luis Eduardo Falcão will be the vice‑governor candidate on Cleitinho Azevedo's ticket. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Polls show Cleitinho Azevedo leading the Minas Gerais gubernatorial race with about 35‑40 % support. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Cleitinho Azevedo postponed his candidacy announcement because his brother Matheus Augusto Azevedo died of leukemia. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Cleitinho Azevedo said he would not support any other candidate if he is not nominated by his party. (corroborated by 13 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Brazil elections: Cleitinho leads in Minas Gerais as Senate races heat up Datafolha polls show Cleitinho Azevedo leading the Minas Gerais gubernatorial race, while Marina Silva and Simone Tebet tie for the lead in the São Paulo Senate contest. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minas-gerais-senate-race-sees-informal-alliance-between-campos-and-neves ### 2026-08-31: Aécio Neves enters Minas Gerais Senate race with new alternates Aécio Neves returns to the Minas Gerais Senate race, with Gustavo Galassi and Marcelo Heringer serving as his first and second alternates after withdrawing their own candidacies. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/acio-neves-enters-minas-gerais-senate-race-with-new-alternates ### 2026-08-26: Aécio Neves announces Senate candidacy for Minas Gerais PSDB president Aécio Neves has reversed his decision to skip the 2026 elections, announcing a Senate candidacy for Minas Gerais on Alexandre Kalil's slate to address the state's debt crisis. 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/acio-neves-faces-renewed-pressure-to-run-for-senate-in-minas-gerais ### 2026-08-24: Cleitinho Azevedo leads Minas Gerais gubernatorial polls Quaest polls show Cleitinho Azevedo leading the Minas Gerais gubernatorial race, while Professora Dorinha holds a lead in Tocantins amid a competitive contest with Vicentinho Júnior. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cleitinho-azevedo-leads-minas-gerais-gubernatorial-race-in-quaest-poll ### 2026-08-20: Brazil election polls: Cleitinho leads in Minas Gerais Datafolha polls show Cleitinho Azevedo leading the Minas Gerais gubernatorial race, while Raquel Lyra leads in Pernambuco and Marina Silva and Simone Tebet lead the São Paulo Senate race. 44 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romeu-zema-proposes-60-year-minimum-age-for-stf-ministers ### 2026-08-19: Minas Gerais political alliances shift ahead of state elections Political alliances shift in Minas Gerais as PT Mayor Jackeliny Pereira do Nascimento supports Senator Cleitinho, while Flávio Bolsonaro backs Flávio Roscoe and Patrus Ananias clarifies his economic stance. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/flvio-bolsonaro-endorses-flvio-roscoe-for-minas-gerais-governor ### 2026-08-11: Flávio Roscoe and Ellen Miziara named PL candidates for Minas Gerais The Liberal Party has named Flávio Roscoe and Ellen Miziara as its candidates for the Minas Gerais governorship, following political shifts involving Senator Cleitinho Azevedo. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/liberal-party-selects-flvio-roscoe-for-minas-gerais-governorship ### 2026-08-11: Minas Gerais gubernatorial debate scheduled for September 1 A debate for the Minas Gerais governorship is set for September 1, featuring candidates including Mateus Simões, Cleitinho Azevedo, and Alexandre Kalil, ahead of the October elections. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minas-gerais-gubernatorial-debate-scheduled-for-september-1 ### 2026-08-09: Cleitinho Azevedo returns to Minas Gerais gubernatorial race Senator Cleitinho Azevedo returns to the Minas Gerais gubernatorial race after a period of party instability, while political alliances shift and Zema proposes privatizing Petrobras. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jair-bolsonaro-faces-visitor-restrictions-as-cleitinho-re-enters-minas-race ### 2026-08-06: Cleitinho Azevedo officializes Minas Gerais governorship candidacy Senator Cleitinho Azevedo has officially announced his candidacy for the Minas Gerais governorship with Republicanos, following a period of party veto and personal loss. He will be joined by Luís Eduardo Falcão 42 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-cleitinho-azevedo-fights-republicanos-veto-to-run-for-minas-gerais-governor ### 2026-08-04: Minas Gerais governor race reshapes as Cleitinho quits and Roscoe is nominated Cleitinho quits the Minas governor race, Union Progressista backs Simões with Danilo de Castro, Aro returns to the coalition, and PL nominates Flávio Roscoe, highlighting a fragmented right‑wing scramble. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-cleitinho-azevedo-seeks-republicanos-backing-for-minas-gerais-governorship ### 2026-08-01: Mateus Simões secures re‑election bid as Minas Gerais governor race reshapes after Cleitinho's withdrawal Mateus Simões is the PSD’s official governor candidate in Minas Gerais, backed by Romeu Zema, while Cleitinho Azevedo withdrew, leaving the race open for Kalil and Patrus Ananias. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-cleitinho-azevedo-poised-for-minas-gerais-governor-candidacy-after-party-reversal ### 2026-07-30: Senator Cleitinho Azevedo’s Minas Gerais governorship bid faces party deadlock Republicanos debates Senator Cleitinho Azevedo’s 2026 Minas governorship bid; he leads polls at 35 % but party doubts his candidacy after his brother’s death and missed convention, with a decision set for early 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-cleitinho-azevedos-bid-for-minas-governorship-rejected-by-party ### 2026-07-28: Senator Cleitinho Azevedo declares run for Minas Gerais governor Senator Cleitinho Azevedo announced his candidacy for Minas Gerais governor with Luis Eduardo Falcão as running mate, citing personal loss, strong poll leads and a Gusttavo Lima endorsement; the Republicanos a­ 43 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-cleitinho-azevedo-signals-intent-to-run-for-minas-gerais-governorship ### 2026-07-06: Senator Cleitinho Azevedo delays Minas governor decision as Goiás hopeful Wilder Morais secures strategist Senator Cleitinho Azevedo delays his Minas governor bid to August, citing party conventions and accusing miners of bribery, while Goiás hopeful Wilder Morais nears a deal with campaign strategist Marcelo Vitor‑ 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-cleitinho-azevedos-pending-decision-shapes-minas-gerais-governor-race --- Cite as: Minas race: Shifting alliances and intensifying campaigns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-minas-gerais-governorship-race