Santa Catarina governor race

A poll released on 21 July 2026 showed incumbent Governor Jorginho Mello with a commanding 54.9 % of the vote in a stimulated scenario, while more than half of respondents could not name a preferred candidate, indicating low voter awareness. By 29 July 2026, a Neokemp/OCP News poll confirmed Mello’s statewide lead at 52.8 % against João Rodrigues at 20.3 %. The same survey’s West‑region sample (190 respondents) showed Rodrigues ahead with 48.3 % and Mello at 41.7 %, highlighting intra‑state variation. Rejection rates were lower for Mello statewide (21.7 %) than in the West (27.1 %). The poll suggested a first‑round victory could be possible for Mello if the statewide trend holds.

On 1 August 2026 the Liberal Party (PL) held a state convention in São José, Grande Florianópolis, formally confirming Jorginho Mello as its candidate for re‑election as governor of Santa Catarina. Adriano Silva of the Novo party was named vice‑governor, and the party presented Senate candidates Carlos Bolsonaro and Carol De Toni. The event, attended by Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, underscored the coalition’s breadth—including PL, Novo, Podemos, Republicanos, Democracia Cristã and the PSDB/Cidadania federation—and highlighted Mello’s record of not raising taxes during his term, signalling the strategic importance of Santa Catarina for the PL ahead of the October elections.