# Mato Grosso political crisis and 2026 election shifts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mato-grosso-governorship-contest > Updated: 2026-09-09T18:46:40.000Z. Sources: 57. Developments: 15. The political landscape in Mato Grosso remains volatile as the Federal Police’s ‘Operação Heritage’ investigation into a suspected R$ 308 million corruption scheme involving Oi S.A. continues to drive significant shifts. Following his resignation, former Chief of Staff Mauro Carvalho Júnior stated his departure was a ‘personal decision to focus on his family and legal defense,’ denying any judicial mandate to step down. He has been succeeded by Adjaime Ramos de Souza. Pressure persists in the Legislative Assembly to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) to examine the Oi agreement, having already garnered seven signatures. A separate Health CPI has scheduled testimonies for former Health Secretary Gilberto Figueiredo and former deputy secretary Caroline Campos Dobes Conturbia Neves for late August. The 2026 gubernatorial race has intensified. Governor Otaviano Pivetta has secured the Republicanos nomination and is building a broad coalition, gaining support from mayors such as Flávia Moretti of Várzea Grande and indigenous leader Rony Azoinace. Recent polling from Instituto Paraná Pesquisas shows Pivetta expanding his lead, holding a 10.8 percentage point advantage over Senator Wellington Fagundes in a first-round simulation (40.8% to 30%). Pivetta’s coalition has gained further momentum with the official endorsement of Senators Damares Alves and Tereza Cristina. Campaign activity is now intensifying across the state. Supporters of Governor Pivetta have organized rallies and events in more than 100 municipalities, with concentrated activities in 21 locations in Cuiabá. During a visit to Tangará da Serra, Pivetta expressed his intention to expand infrastructure and public services in the state's interior if reelected. As part of broader national preparations for the 2026 General Elections, electoral authorities are conducting training for poll workers in Cuiabá and Acorizal. Additionally, 179 sections have been specifically designated to accommodate transit voting in Cuiabá, Várzea Grande, Rondonópolis, and Sinop. ## Claims - Max Russi announced that Podemos will support Otaviano Pivetta's re‑election. (disputed by 4 sources) - Max Russi announced that Podemos will run its own candidate for the Mato Grosso governorship. (disputed) - Otaviano Pivetta is running for re‑election as governor of Mato Grosso. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Fábio Garcia was selected as the vice‑governor candidate on Pivetta's ticket. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The Mato Grosso state convention of União Brasil voted 30 to 19, with one null vote and one abstention, to endorse Otaviano Pivetta's pre‑candidacy for governor. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The convention rejected Senator Jayme Campos’ candidacy for the Mato Grosso governorship. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Max Russi is the president of the Mato Grosso Legislative Assembly. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The Federal Police launched Operation Heritage to investigate a suspected R$ 308 million scheme involving an agreement between Mato Grosso and the telecommunications company Oi. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Otaviano Pivetta is the incumbent governor of Mato Grosso and a member of the Republicanos party. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Brazil prepares for 2026 elections with voting machine logistics and training Brazil is preparing for the 2026 elections through voting machine logistics, poll worker training, and the designation of transit voting sections across several states. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mato-grosso-prepares-for-elections-amid-campaign-rallies-and-transit-voting-logistics ### 2026-09-09: Mato Grosso political landscape shifts as Pivetta leads polls Governor Otaviano Pivetta leads Mato Grosso's gubernatorial race with a 10.8-point advantage over Wellington Fagundes, amid various political endorsements and legislative delays. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mato-grosso-senate-race-mauro-mendes-leads-as-pedro-taques-is-fined ### 2026-09-01: Brazil political tensions rise amid party splits and judicial debates Brazilian political friction intensifies as the Liberal Party faces internal splits in Mato Grosso and candidates in Amazonas challenge leadership and judicial authority ahead of the 2026 elections. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pl-party-reshuffles-mato-grosso-leadership-amid-internal-rift ### 2026-08-30: Mato Grosso political landscape shifts amid election alliances Candidates in Mato Grosso, including Otaviano Pivetta and Mauro Mendes, navigate shifting political alliances and debates over party loyalty as regional elections approach. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/otaviano-pivetta-addresses-campaign-provocations-and-gains-mayoral-support ### 2026-08-19: Mato Grosso Governor Pivetta outlines reelection platform Mato Grosso Governor Otaviano Pivetta campaigns for reelection, pledging not to reissue the FETHAB 2 tax and announcing a R$ 1.5 billion plan for 60,000 new homes. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/otaviano-pivetta-secures-support-from-133-mayors-for-reelection ### 2026-08-11: Mato Grosso political crisis intensifies amid Operation Heritage investigation Mato Grosso faces political turmoil as Operation Heritage investigates a R$ 308 million scheme involving Oi. Chief of Staff Mauro Carvalho Júnior resigned, and calls for a legislative inquiry grow. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mato-grosso-political-alliance-strained-by-federal-police-investigation ### 2026-08-09: Mato Grosso PL mayors defy party to support Governor Pivetta Liberal Party mayors in Mato Grosso are defying party leadership by supporting Governor Otaviano Pivetta's reelection over the party's official candidate, risking expulsion. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mato-grosso-pl-mayors-defy-party-to-support-governor-pivetta ### 2026-08-09: Bolsonarista leaders signal rift over Mato Grosso political coalition Political tensions rise in Mato Grosso as the Liberal Party faces internal division over an MDB coalition, with Bolsonarista leaders backing José Medeiros for Senate over MDB candidate Janaina Riva. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolsonarista-leaders-signal-rift-over-mato-grosso-political-coalition ### 2026-08-04: Podemos party outlines candidate slate for 2026 Mato Grosso elections Podemos unveiled a 34‑person slate for Mato Grosso’s 2026 elections, targeting six‑seven state seats and up to three federal deputies, confirmed Katiuscia Manteli’s federal run, and postponed a major‑party pact 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuiab-council-advances-pet-aid-bank-and-postpones-leadership-election ### 2026-08-04: Mato Grosso Governor Otaviano Pivetta Gains Podemos Support for 2026 Re‑election Governor Otaviano Pivetta secures Podemos backing and selects Fábio Garcia as vice, while 122 mayors endorse Garcia. Opposition PL‑MDB alliance names Wellington Fagundes for governor and Marcelo Maluf as his VP 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mato-grosso-election-race-reshapes-as-podemos-fields-own-candidate-and-pl-disputes-mdb-alliance ### 2026-07-30: Otaviano Pivetta secures Union Brazil backing for Mato Grosso governorship Union Brazil voted 30‑19 to back incumbent Otaviano Pivetta for Mato Grosso governor, rejecting Jayme Campos; internal talks of a third‑way ticket with Max Russi or Janaina Riva followed, while Pivetta thanked, 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mato-grossos-unio-brasil-backs-governor-pivetta-for-2026-election ### 2026-07-30: Mato Grosso conventions clash as Pedro Taques backs Lula, Union Brazil debates 2026 plan Pedro Taques defended democracy and backed Lula at a Cuiabá convention, while Union Brazil’s Mato Grosso meeting saw Dilmar Dal Bosco clash with Mauro Mendes over 2026 alliance strategy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mato-grosso-conventions-clash-as-pedro-taques-backs-lula-union-brazil-debates-2026-plan ### 2026-07-28: Mato Grosso Union Brazil convention split shapes 2026 governor race A split within Mato Grosso's União Brasil convention will decide whether Senator Jayme Campos runs for governor or the party backs incumbent Otaviano Pivetta, a move seen as pivotal for the 2026 race that shows 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuiab-faces-criticism-over-municipal-management-and-rising-poverty ### 2026-07-13: Mato Grosso governors race intensifies as parties clash over candidacies and projects Mato Grosso’s 2026 governor race heats up as Pivetta pushes a water alliance, PL backs Wellington Fagundes, and União Brasil’s Jayme Campos rejects a borrowed candidate and criticises a new hospital site. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazilian-senator-jayme-campos-rejects-borrowed-candidate-and-opposes-airportadjacent-hospital-proje ### 2026-07-02: Senator Jayme Campos seeks governorship of Mato Grosso Senator Jayme Campos aims for Mato Grosso governor, needing Union Brazil and Progressistas conventions approval, with Senate President Davi Alcolumbre’s backing, amid internal party negotiations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-jayme-campos-seeks-governorship-of-mato-grosso --- Cite as: Mato Grosso political crisis and 2026 election shifts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mato-grosso-governorship-contest