# Rio de Janeiro political campaign

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rio-de-janeiro-political-campaign
> Updated: 2026-08-15T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 3.

In mid‑July 2026, Rio mayor Eduardo Paes endorsed Adilson Pires’s pre‑candidacy for the state deputy legislature, presenting the launch as part of a broader effort to create a unified bloc in the Assembly that could back President Lula’s agenda and attract federal investments to Rio’s municipalities.

By early August, Paes, now positioning himself as a pre‑candidate for the Rio state governorship, shifted the focus to a development narrative. Speaking at the 213th anniversary ceremony of Macaé, Paes argued that the state should mirror that city’s development path. He highlighted Macaé’s use of oil‑royalty revenues, policy continuity across administrations, and its role as a strategic hub for projects like a proposed national fertilizer plant, suggesting the city could serve as a “locomotive” for Rio’s future growth.

In mid-August, Paes’s gubernatorial bid gained significant political momentum when Senator Romário officially left the Liberal Party (PL) to support him. Romário, who had been with the PL for five years, stated his decision was intended to prioritize the interests of Rio de Janeiro, noting that while he and Paes may not agree on all positions, Paes possesses the “best conditions to govern the state.” Romário noted his departure was the result of “deep reflection” aimed at acting with “greater freedom and coherence.”

Following his exit, Romário remains without a political party affiliation and intends to focus on his Senate mandate through 2030. His departure shifts the landscape for the PL, which has nominated Douglas Ruas—a candidate supported by Flávio Bolsonaro—as its candidate for the Rio de Janeiro governorship. Recent research by Vetor Arrow indicates Paes leads spontaneous voting intentions at 28.9%, while Ruas holds 6.2%.

## Claims

- Senator Romário has formally requested his departure from the Liberal Party (PL). (corroborated by 16 sources)
- Romário announced his support for Eduardo Paes (PSD) in the race for the Rio de Janeiro state government. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- The Liberal Party (PL) has launched Douglas Ruas as its candidate for the Rio de Janeiro state government. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- Romário will remain without a political party for the time being. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Former Nova Iguaçu mayor Rogério Lisboa announced his support for Eduardo Paes. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- In a spontaneous poll, Eduardo Paes leads the race for the Rio de Janeiro state government with 28.9%. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-15: Romário leaves PL to support Eduardo Paes for Rio de Janeiro governor

Senator Romário has left the Liberal Party (PL) and announced his support for Eduardo Paes (PSD) in the Rio de Janeiro gubernatorial race, leaving him currently without a political party.

31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-romrio-leaves-pl-to-support-eduardo-paes-for-rio-governorship

### 2026-08-04: Eduardo Paes vows Rio state to follow Macaé's development model

Eduardo Paes, Rio’s mayor and state‑governor hopeful, urged the state to emulate Macaé’s oil‑driven, continuous development model, citing its strategic projects and policy stability.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eduardo-paes-vows-rio-state-to-follow-macas-development-model

### 2026-07-17: Adilson Pires launches Rio de Janeiro state deputy pre‑candidacy with Eduardo Paes backing

Adilson Pires (PT) announced his state deputy pre‑candidacy in Rio de Janeiro, backed by mayor Eduardo Paes and other progressive leaders, calling for Alerj renewal and stronger state‑federal cooperation.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/srgio-peteco-launches-precandidacy-in-acre-as-massive-rally-fills-rio-brancos-tenda-amarela

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Cite as: Rio de Janeiro political campaign. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rio-de-janeiro-political-campaign