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9 clusters · 31 sources · 75 days · First seen · Last updated

Mato Grosso 2026 gubernatorial race

Overview

The 2026 Mato Grosso gubernatorial race has seen significant shifts in candidate lineups, legal scrutiny, and polling data. While the governing coalition nominated incumbent Governor Otaviano Pivetta (Republicanos), Senator Wellington Fagundes (PL) also entered the race. Fagundes’ campaign faced internal friction after businessman Marcelo Maluf accused the senator of a “lack of respect” for breaking a party agreement regarding the vice-governor slot. Fagundes has since updated his ticket, replacing Alencar Farina with businessman Reinaldo Moraes due to legal concerns regarding Farina’s professional ties to the public health sector.

Fagundes has challenged the current administration’s management of approximately R$ 3 billion from the Fund for Compensation of Export Losses (FEX) and rejected being labeled a ‘watermelon’. He has also focused heavily on fiscal policy, criticizing Pivetta’s administration as “unjust and immoral.” Citing State Court of Accounts data showing a high concentration of tax waivers among a few large beneficiaries—where 30 entities accounted for R$ 4.6 billion in 2023—Fagundes proposes expanding incentives to small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperatives, and producers to stimulate economic decentralization in the Baixada Cuiabana and less industrialized regions.

Recent campaign developments include Senator Marcos Pontes officially endorsing Fagundes, citing their previous collaboration in science, technology, and the ethanol supply chain. Regarding internal party dynamics, Fagundes declined to defend fellow PL member José Medeiros following controversial remarks, stating a preference to focus on concrete proposals. Candidates have also engaged with the Sintep-MT union to discuss education, with Natasha Slhessarenko committing to new school construction and Fagundes’ representative, Fábio Gondim, proposing permanent negotiation tables.

Entities

Mato Grosso · Wellington Fagundes · Otaviano Pivetta · Natasha Slhessarenko · Alencar Farina

Timeline

  1. 13 days ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Wellington Fagundes proposes expanding tax incentives in Mato Grosso

    Mato Grosso gubernatorial candidate Wellington Fagundes proposes expanding tax incentives to small businesses and cooperatives to reduce economic concentration and promote regional industrialization.

  2. 16 days ago

    [POLITICS] 6 sources
    Mato Grosso candidates present education proposals to Sintep-MT

    Mato Grosso gubernatorial candidates Natasha Slhessarenko and Wellington Fagundes have presented educational proposals to the Sintep-MT union, focusing on teacher rights and school infrastructure.

  3. 27 days ago

    [POLITICS] 13 sources
    Brazilian election polls show varying leads in state races

    New election polls in Brazil show varying leads for gubernatorial candidates in Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Rio Grande do Sul.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Wellington Fagundes rejects political labels in Mato Grosso race

    Mato Grosso gubernatorial candidate Wellington Fagundes rejected labels suggesting left-wing ties, citing his history of supporting municipal needs and his participation in presidential impeachments.

  5. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Wellington Fagundes updates Mato Grosso candidacy and questions state funds

    Mato Grosso gubernatorial candidate Wellington Fagundes replaced Alencar Farina with Reinaldo Moraes due to legal conflicts regarding public health contracts and raised questions over the use of R$ 3 billion in

  6. about 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 11 sources
    Fábio Garcia withdraws from Mato Grosso vice-governor race

    Fábio Garcia withdraws from the Mato Grosso vice-governor race due to judicial restrictions from Operação Heritage, leaving Governor Otaviano Pivetta to seek a new running mate.

  7. about 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 9 sources
    Wellington Fagundes amid criticism and election race in Mato Grosso 2026

    Wellington Fagundes' gubernatorial bid in Mato Grosso 2026 draws criticism from Marcelo Maluf over a vice‑governor removal, while party conventions set candidate lists, polls show Reinaldo Azambuja leading the

  8. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Wellington Fagundes launches Mato Grosso governor campaign, pledges clean record and decentralised administration

    Wellington Fagundes (PL) launched his Mato Grosso governor bid, touting a 33‑year clean record and pledging a decentralised government. He detailed criteria for picking a technically complementary vice‑governor

  9. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Mato Grosso 2026 gubernatorial race: campaign spending limit set, ex‑mayor Pinheiro launches pre‑candidacy

    Ex‑Cuiabá mayor Emanuel Pinheiro announces a pre‑candidacy for Mato Grosso governor as Brazil’s TSE keeps the gubernatorial campaign spending cap at R$7.1 million for the 2026 first round.

Sources

blogdobg.com.br · blogdovaldemir.com.br · brasildefato.com.br · cartacapital.com.br · circuitomt.com.br · cliquef5.com.br · dgabc.com.br · diariodecanoas.com.br · enfoquems.com.br · gazetamt.com.br · issoenoticia.com.br · leiagora.com.br · metropoles.com · minutomt.com.br · mittelaltergazette.de · momentomt.com.br · ndmais.com.br · newscuiaba.com.br · noticiaexata.com.br · noticiascg.com.br · obomdanoticia.com.br · odocumento.com.br · omatogrosso.com · paraibainforma.com.br · pnbonline.com.br · portalmatogrosso.com.br · radionoise.ro · rdmonline.com.br · reportermt.com · veja.abril.com.br · viagemegastronomia.com.br

This summary has been updated 11 times: see revision history