Rio de Janeiro Governor

Eduardo Paes is positioned to receive Lula's crucial federal endorsement. For the 2026 Rio de Janeiro gubernatorial election, current mayor Eduardo Paes is expected to receive the official endorsement and critical pooled television advertising time from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's national coalition. The Rio de Janeiro branch of the Workers' Party (PT) explicitly supports Paes for governor, and President Lula has already appeared alongside him in what was described as a campaign-like discourse, signaling strong federal backing ^[1]. On the opposing side, Jair Bolsonaro's Liberal Party (PL) is actively defining its ticket. The PL has identified a slate of candidates supported by Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president's son, and incumbent Governor Cláudio Castro. Jair Bolsonaro himself has signaled support for a deputy for the Rio government, indicating that the former president's influence will shape the PL's choice and subsequent allocation of resources, including crucial television advertising time ^[2].

Incumbent federal presidential backing has yielded mixed results in Rio elections. The performance of candidates supported by the sitting federal president in the Rio de Janeiro state election has varied significantly over the last three cycles. In the 2022 election, the incumbent federal president, Jair Bolsonaro (PL), backed Cláudio Castro (PL) for governor, resulting in Castro's re-election in the first round with 58.67% of the valid votes ^[3]. Conversely, in the 2018 election, when Michel Temer (MDB) was the incumbent federal president, his party's candidate for governor, Márcia Tiburi (MDB), received only 4.27% of the votes ^[4]. In the 2014 election, with Dilma Rousseff (PT) as the incumbent federal president, the PT was part of the coalition that supported Luiz Fernando Pezão (MDB), who was elected governor with 55.78% of the valid votes in the second round ^[5].

Recent polls indicate high voter rejection for Anthony Garotinho and Wilson Witzel. Datafolha polls from 2022 indicated that Anthony Garotinho registered rejection rates of 45% in July ^[1] and 49% in April ^[2]. For Wilson Witzel, Datafolha polls in 2022 showed his rejection at 52% in September ^[4] and 44% in October ^[3]. Additionally, an IPEC poll in October 2022 reported Witzel's rejection rate at 40% ^[5]. These figures highlight significant voter aversion to both candidates based on 2022 election cycle polling data.

Historical data on high rejection and runoff victories is unavailable. The provided research did not contain specific historical polling data on rejection rates of candidates who proceeded to and won second-round runoffs for governor in Rio de Janeiro ^[6]. While sources mentioned past elections, they did not offer the detailed rejection percentages necessary to confirm if a candidate with over 35% rejection has historically won such a runoff. Therefore, based on the available information, it is not possible to confirm this historical precedent.

Specific public security approval data for Paes is unavailable in research. The available research does not focus on Eduardo Paes's mayoral approval rating specifically concerning public security in Rio. However, reports on his overall mayoral approval indicate a trend ranging from 35% in June 2024, according to Quaest ^[1], to 46% in July 2024 by Datafolha ^[2], ^[3], and reaching 50% in September 2024, also from Datafolha ^[4]. His government's evaluation remained stable in August 2024 ^[5], suggesting a consistent to slightly rising trend in his general approval during mid-2024.

Regional comparison of Paes's support in Baixada Fluminense is not possible. The provided sources lack the specific regional data needed to compare Eduardo Paes's current electoral support in the Baixada Fluminense region with his performance during his 2018 gubernatorial run. Although Paes is identified as a leading candidate for the Rio de Janeiro governorship in recent polls ^[6], ^[7], and his 2018 election results are noted ^[8], there is no information on voting percentages or current support metrics specifically for the Baixada Fluminense region within the given data. Consequently, a direct regional comparison cannot be made.

While specific polling data detailing Douglas Ruas's name recognition and voter intention exclusively among self-identified Evangelical voters in municipalities outside the Rio de Janeiro metro area is unavailable, general state-wide polls indicate Douglas Ruas holds 9% of voting intentions ^[1]. This figure represents a significant increase, having quadrupled in two months, positioning him at 9% against Paes at 34% and Garotinho at 8% in a Genial/Quaest poll ^[1]. However, these statewide figures are not disaggregated by religious affiliation or specific regional breakdown, making direct assessment of the target demographic challenging, despite its decisive role in recent state elections.

Douglas Ruas actively courts the influential Evangelical voter base. Research indicates a consistent effort by Ruas to engage with this community. He participated in a significant event of the Universal Church (Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus) at the Maracanã, explicitly reinforcing his appeal to the Evangelical electorate ^[2]. Furthermore, leaders from the Assembleia de Deus have extended their blessings to both Eduardo Paes and Douglas Ruas in the gubernatorial dispute, demonstrating his recognition within this major denomination ^[3]. Ruas has also secured support from the Igreja Batista Atitude during his travels across Rio de Janeiro ^[4]. His political discourse aligns with themes resonating with conservative Evangelical voters, such as the defense of security and family values, echoing positions taken by figures like Flávio Bolsonaro ^[5]. This strategic outreach highlights an intentional focus on a voter base critical for previous successful campaigns in the state.

MDB in Rio has formalized key alliances for 2026. The Movimento Democrático Brasileiro (MDB) has formally positioned itself for the 2026 Rio de Janeiro gubernatorial race by forging an official alliance with the Partido Social Democrático (PSD), aiming to present an Eduardo Paes and Jane Reis ticket ^[1]. The MDB in Rio has publicly confirmed its support for Paes for the state government ^[4]. However, this Rio de Janeiro MDB branch has also indicated support for Flávio Bolsonaro in the presidential dispute ^[4].

União Brasil and Progressistas formed a significant political superfederation. União Brasil has solidified its alliances through formal meetings and public declarations for the upcoming elections, including an agreement with Jair Bolsonaro concerning the 2026 elections in Rio de Janeiro ^[2]. Further enhancing its political strength, União Brasil, in conjunction with Progressistas (PP), officially formed a "superfederation," establishing the largest political bloc in the state of Rio de Janeiro ^[3]. This federation involved key engagements, such as Bacellar of União Brasil meeting Flávio Bolsonaro on the day of the federation's officialization ^[5].

Progressistas pursues a diversified strategy across political fronts. Progressistas (PP) has also been actively shaping its strategy for the 2026 elections through significant formal engagements. While being part of Governor Cláudio Castro's political base and being sought after for the 2026 elections, the PP has also notably joined Eduardo Paes' administration ^[6]. This dual engagement underscores the party's strategy of positioning itself across various political fronts in anticipation of official party convention deadlines ^[6].