# Maranhão race: Brandão leads poll, seeks evangelical support

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maranho-governor-race-campaign
> Updated: 2026-07-30T01:32:13.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 19.

Orleans Brandão has maintained his lead in the Maranhão gubernatorial race, with an INOP poll showing him at 45.06 % against Eduardo Braide’s 43.52 %. After a busy campaign tour that included a visit to the Vaquejada in Barreirinhas and the launch of Senate pre‑candidacies, Brandão expanded his outreach to evangelical constituencies. On 29 May, he met with pastors, missionaries and evangelical leaders in São Lis alongside incumbent Governor Carlos Brandão and vice‑governor candidate Edivaldo Holanda Júnior. The group received a sector‑draft document calling for support of religious events, stronger state‑church partnerships, drug‑prevention programmes, the creation of an Evangelical College of Maranhão and a state‑run centre for large evangelical gatherings. Brandão pledged to keep a permanent dialogue with churches, describing himself as a “governor of opportunities, jobs and income.” The newly created State Secretariat of Social Representation was highlighted as the institutional mechanism to deepen collaboration with churches, therapeutic communities and the broader third sector. A televised gubernatorial debate is set for 9 August, where Brandão will face PT, PSD and possibly PSOL candidates.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-30: Orleans Brandão vows stronger ties with evangelical churches in Maranhão

Maranhão governor candidate Orleans Brandão pledged expanded cooperation with evangelical churches, citing joint social programs and new state initiatives after meeting leaders in São Lis.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orleans-brando-vows-stronger-ties-with-evangelical-churches-in-maranho

### 2026-07-21: Orleans Brandão leads Maranhão poll and promotes tourism at Barreirinhas vaquejada

Orleans Brandão, Maranhão’s gubernatorial pre‑candidate, highlighted tourism at the Barreirinhas vaquejada and leads a new poll with 45% support over Eduardo Braide’s 43%.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orleans-brando-leads-maranho-poll-and-promotes-tourism-at-barreirinhas-vaquejada

### 2026-07-17: Pedro Lucas launches Senate pre‑candidacy in Maranhão

Pedro Lucas Fernandes officially launched his Senate pre‑candidacy in São Luís, Maranhão, with Governor Carlos Brandão and other state leaders, signalling unified support ahead of the July 25 party convention.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pedro-lucas-launches-senate-precandidacy-in-maranho

### 2026-07-15: Maranhão sees major pre‑candidate rallies for Júnior Viana and Vinícius Ferro

Júnior Viana and Vinícius Ferro held large pre‑candidate rallies in Maranhão, highlighting cultural heritage and past public‑service achievements ahead of elections.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maranho-sees-major-precandidate-rallies-for-jnior-viana-and-vincius-ferro

### 2026-07-11: Maranhão political leader Orleans Brandão backs Pedro Lucas for Senate

Orleans Brandão and Edivaldo Holanda introduced Pedro Lucas as the Senate candidate for Maranhão, emphasizing his experience and municipal focus alongside ticket mate Wéverton Rocha.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maranho-political-leader-orleans-brando-backs-pedro-lucas-for-senate

### 2026-07-11: Eduardo Braide bans national presidential campaigning in Maranhão governor race

Eduardo Braide, pre‑candidate for Maranhão governor in 2026, ordered his allies not to campaign for any presidential candidate, aiming to keep the race focused on state issues and avoid nationalizing the vote.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eduardo-braide-bans-national-presidential-campaigning-in-maranho-governor-race

### 2026-07-10: Maranhão bolsonarist ticket solidified for 2026 state election

Federal deputy Allan Garcês backs Eduardo Braide for governor and Lahésio Bonfim for Senate, completing a bolsonarist ticket in Maranhão for the 2026 elections, per Senator Eliziane Gama.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maranho-bolsonarist-ticket-solidified-for-2026-state-election

### 2026-07-09: Orleans Brandão pledges tourism boost and condemns São Luís transit crisis in Maranhão campaign

Orleans Brandão campaign promises tourism infrastructure in Bela Vista and denounces São Luís transit failures, pledging accountability and continued social programmes if elected.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orleans-brando-pledges-tourism-boost-and-condemns-so-lus-transit-crisis-in-maranho-campaign

### 2026-07-07: Governor Carlos Brandão holds rally in Itaqui-Bacanga and tours historic restoration in São Luís

Governor Carlos Brandão led a rally in São Luís’s Itaqui‑Bacanga with candidate Orleans Brandão and ex‑mayor Edivaldo Holanda Jr., then inspected the Odylo Costa Filho historic restoration project.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/governor-carlos-brando-holds-rally-in-itaqui-bacanga-and-tours-historic-restoration-in-so-lus

### 2026-07-02: Maranhão gubernatorial race heats up as Braide hides Lula stance and Orleans draws 10,000 at Timon rally

Maranhão’s governor race intensifies as Eduardo Braide masks his anti‑Lula stance, while Orleans Brandão rallies over 10,000 in Timon promising hospitals, security and infrastructure.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maranho-gubernatorial-race-heats-up-as-braide-hides-lula-stance-and-orleans-draws-10000-at-timon-ral

### 2026-07-01: Orleans Brandão picks Edivaldo Holanda Júnior as running mate for Maranhão governor race

Orleans Brandão named ex‑mayor Edivaldo Holanda Júnior as his vice‑governor candidate, forming the “Vingadores de Holandinha” team to boost their Maranhão election bid.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orleans-brando-picks-edivaldo-holanda-jnior-as-running-mate-for-maranho-governor-race

### 2026-06-30: Orleans Brandão selects former São Luís mayor Edivaldo Holanda Júnior as vice‑governor candidate in Maranhão

Orleans Brandão announced former São Luís mayor Edivaldo Holanda Júnior as his vice‑governor pre‑candidate for the 2027 Maranhão election, emphasizing his administrative experience to bolster the governing bloc

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orleans-brando-selects-former-so-lus-mayor-edivaldo-holanda-jnior-as-vicegovernor-candidate-in-maran

### 2026-06-28: Maranhão candidate Eduardo Braide backs state deputy pre‑candidate Yuri Corrêa and attacks governor over Caxias road‑way

In Maranhão, Eduardo Braide confirmed Yuri Corrêa as his state‑deputy pre‑candidate, pledging a TEA centre, hospital and road upgrades, while accusing Governor Carlos Brandão of fake news over a Caxias road‑way

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maranho-candidate-eduardo-braide-backs-state-deputy-precandidate-yuri-corra-and-attacks-governor-ove

### 2026-06-28: Brazilian politician Eduardo Braide targets Governor Carlos Brandão over Orleans Brandão's rise

Brazilian analysts warn political discourse is becoming warlike; meanwhile Maranhão ex‑mayor Eduardo Braide now attacks Governor Carlos Brandão, citing the rise of Orleans Brandão as a growing threat.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazilian-politician-eduardo-braide-targets-governor-carlos-brando-over-orleans-brandos-rise

### 2026-06-26: Maranhão pre‑governor candidate Orleans Brandão rallies support and selects former São Luís mayor as running mate

Orleans Brandão campaigned in São Raimundo das Mangabeiras, promising infrastructure projects, and named former São Luís mayor Edivaldo Holanda Júnior as his vice‑governor running mate in the Maranhão governor‑

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maranho-pregovernor-candidate-orleans-brando-rallies-support-and-selects-former-so-lus-mayor-as-runn

### 2026-06-24: Orleans Brandão expands municipal backing in Maranhão

Orleans Brandão, Maranhão’s gubernatorial pre‑candidate, met former deputy mayor Alessandro Costa’s group in Loreto and dozens of mayors in São Luís, stressing municipal collaboration ahead of the 2026 race.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orleans-brando-expands-municipal-backing-in-maranho

### 2026-06-19: Orleans Brandão rallies in Maranhão, pledges agribusiness reforms and local infrastructure

Maranhão governor hopeful Orleans Brandão toured Davinópolis and Imperatriz, touting recent local projects and pledging infrastructure and policy reforms for the state's agribusiness sector.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orleans-brando-rallies-in-maranho-pledges-agribusiness-reforms-and-local-infrastructure

### 2026-06-10: Orleans Brandão rallies support in São Luís ahead of Maranhão governorship bid

Orleans Brandão’s pre‑candidacy for Maranhão governor was backed by local and state officials at a rally in São Luís, where he promised further infrastructure and health projects for the João Paulo district.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orleans-brando-rallies-support-in-so-lus-ahead-of-maranho-governor-bid

### 2026-06-06: Orleans Brandão tours Maranhão, rallies support at agribusiness forum and regional meetings

Orleans Brandão campaigned across Maranhão, speaking at an agribusiness fair and regional meetings, pledging health upgrades, industrial attraction, and a new slaughterhouse.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazilian-state-leaders-honored-and-begin-precampaign-tours

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Cite as: Maranhão race: Brandão leads poll, seeks evangelical support. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maranho-governor-race-campaign