October 2026 Rio de Janeiro gubernatorial election

2026 Rio de Janeiro gubernatorial election
4 October 2026 (2026-10-04) (first round)
Opinion polls
Incumbent Governor

TBD


Senatorial election
4 October 2026 (2026-10-04) (one-only round)
Opinion polls
Incumbent Senator

Flávio Bolsonaro and Carlos Portinho
PL



The October 2026 Rio de Janeiro gubernatorial election will be held on 4 October 2026 in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Voters will elect a Governor, Vice Governor, two Senators, 46 representatives for the Chamber of Deputies, and 70 Legislative Assembly members. If no candidate for president or governor receives a majority of the valid votes in the first round, a runoff election is held on 25 October.

Former governor Cláudio Castro of the Liberal Party (PL), reelected in 2022 with 58.67% of the vote, is term-limited and ineligible to run for a third consecutive term. Incumbent senators Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) and Carlos Portinho (PL) (who assumed the seat following the death of Arolde de Oliveira in 2020) are completing their eight-year terms and are eligible to run for reelection or other offices.

Background

Electoral calendar

Note: This section only presents the main dates of the 2026 electoral calendar, check the TSE official website (in Portuguese) and other official sources for detailed information.

Electoral calendar
15 May Start of crowdfunding of candidates
20 July to 5 August Party conventions for choosing candidates and coalitions
16 August to 1 October Period of exhibition of free electoral propaganda on radio, television and on the internet related to the first round
4 October First round of 2026 elections
9 October to 23 October Period of exhibition of free electoral propaganda on radio, television and on the internet related to a possible second round
25 October Possible second round of 2026 elections
until 19 December Delivery of electoral diplomas for those who were elected in the 2026 elections by the Brazilian Election Justice

Governor

Incumbent governor Cláudio Castro was elected in the first round of the 2022 election with 58.67% of the vote, defeating Marcelo Freixo of the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB). Castro, who was originally elected as Vice Governor in 2018 alongside Wilson Witzel, assumed the governorship permanently in May 2021 following Witzel's impeachment and removal from office. Because he served the remainder of Witzel's term and was reelected for a full term in 2022, he is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive period in executive office.[1][2]

Castro governs alone, since Vice Governor Thiago Pampolha of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) resigned from office[3]. Pampolha was elected on the Brazil Union (União) ticket in 2022 but switched to the MDB in 2024, a move that caused significant political friction within the governing coalition and led to his dismissal from the State Secretariat of Environment.[4] The resignation of Pampolha opened a path for the next on succession line, Rodrigo Bacellar, president of the Legislative Assembly to take over if Castro also resigns, which he aspires to try to be elected senator on 2026.

Senator

Senators in Brazil serve an 8-year term, meaning the incumbents were elected in 2018.

Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, was elected to the Senate in 2018. A prominent figure in the Liberal Party (PL), he is eligible for reelection, though he was recently announced as his father's candidate in the 2026 presidential election.[5]

Carlos Portinho, a lawyer specializing in sports law, currently holds the second Senate seat. He was elected as the first alternate to Arolde de Oliveira (PSD) in 2018. Portinho assumed the office permanently in November 2020 after Oliveira died from complications of COVID-19. He has since become a key leadership figure for the opposition in the Senate and is eligible to run for a full term.[6]

Gubernatorial candidates

Declared candidates

  • Eduardo Paes, lawyer, current Mayor of Rio de Janeiro (since 2021), former Mayor of Rio de Janeiro (2009–2016), former Federal Deputy (1999–2008), and candidate for Governor of Rio de Janeiro in 2006 and 2018.[7]
  • Glauber Braga, activist, current Federal Deputy (since 2011) and candidate for Mayor of Nova Friburgo in 2008.[8]
  • Douglas Ruas, State Deputy (since 2023), Secretary of Cities of Rio de Janeiro (since 2023).[9][10]

Expressed interest

  • Dr. Luizinho, physician, current Federal Deputy (since 2019), former Secretary of Health of Rio de Janeiro (2023; 2016–2018), and former Secretary of Health of Nova Iguaçu (2013–2016).[11]
  • Eduardo Pazuello, army general and bureaucrat, current Federal Deputy (since 2023) and former Minister of Health (2020–2021).[12]
  • Tarcísio Motta, history teacher, current Federal Deputy (since 2023), former City Councilor of Rio de Janeiro (2017–2023), candidate for Governor of Rio de Janeiro in 2014 and 2018, and candidate for Mayor of Rio de Janeiro in 2024.
  • Anthony Garotinho, Radio Broadcaster, former Governor of Rio de Janeiro (1999-2002), former federal Deputy (2011-2015), former Mayor of Campos dos Goytacazes (1997-1998).[13]
  • Wilson Witzel, former federal judge, former Governor of Rio de Janeiro (2019-2021).[14][15]
  • André Português, former mayor of Miguel Pereira (2017-2024).[16]

Speculated by the media

  • Lindbergh Farias, former student union leader, current Federal Deputy (since 2023), former City Councilor of Rio de Janeiro (2021–2023), former Senator (2011–2019), former Mayor of Nova Iguaçu (2005–2010), former Federal Deputy (1995–2004), and candidate for Governor of Rio de Janeiro in 2014.
  • Felipe Curi, Policeman, Secretary of Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro (since 2023).[17]
  • Nicola Miccione, Secretary of the Civil House of Rio de Janeiro (since 2020).[18]
  • André Ceciliano, current Secretary of Parliament Affairs of the Federal Government, former President of Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (2019-2023), Former State Deputy.[18]
  • Chico Machado, State Deputy (since 2023)[19].
  • Fred Pacheco, State Deputy (since 2023)[20].

Declined or withdrew

  • Flávio Bolsonaro, lawyer, current Senator (since 2019), former State Deputy (2003–2019), and candidate for Mayor of Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
  • Rodrigo Bacellar, lawyer, current President of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (since 2023), current State Deputy (since 2019), and former Secretary of Government of Rio de Janeiro (2021–2022).
  • Washington Reis, businessman, former Secretary of Transport of Rio de Janeiro (2023–2025), former Mayor of Duque de Caxias (2017–2022; 2005–2008), former Federal Deputy (2011–2017), and candidate for Vice-Governor of Rio de Janeiro in 2022.[21]

Senatorial candidates

Declared candidates

Possible candidates

  • Benedita da Silva, former governor of Rio de Janeiro (2002-2003), former federal Senator (1995-1999), federal deputy (1987-1995, since 2011)[22].

Declined or withdrew

  • Flávio Bolsonaro, lawyer, current Senator (since 2019), former State Deputy (2003–2019), and candidate for Mayor of Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Ineligible

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Apuração da Eleição 2022 para Governador no Rio de Janeiro". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  2. ^ Magalhães, Guilherme (2022-10-02). "Cláudio Castro é reeleito governador do RJ em 1º turno". JOTA Jornalismo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  3. ^ Natario, Gustavo (May 21, 2025). "DEPUTADOS APROVAM, EM PLENÁRIO, INDICAÇÃO DE THIAGO PAMPOLHA PARA CONSELHEIRO DO TCE-RJ". Assembleia Legislativa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  4. ^ "Vice rompe politicamente com Claudio Castro: 'Relação será institucional'". VEJA (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  5. ^ "Flavio Bolsonaro Confirms 2026 Presidential Bid Amid Turmoil". Grand Pinnacle Tribune. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  6. ^ PODER360 (2020-11-03). "Ao vivo: Carlos Portinho (PSD-RJ) toma posse como senador". Poder360 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-01-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Rio mayor eyes six candidates for 2026 ticket". valorinternational. 2025-08-11. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  8. ^ "Os planos de Glauber Braga durante a suspensão da Câmara". PlatôBR (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2025-12-14. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  9. ^ "Eleição para o governo do Rio já vive corrida para atrair Centrão". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2026-01-24. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
  10. ^ a b c "Douglas Ruas é candidato do PL ao governo do RJ; Castro vai ao Senado". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2026-02-24. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  11. ^ "Flávio fez movimento isolado, e PP se sente liberado para outra candidatura, diz líder do partido". Folha de S.Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2025-12-11. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  12. ^ "Eduardo Paes lidera pesquisa para o Rio de Janeiro em 2026". Gazeta do Povo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  13. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  14. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  15. ^ "Ele volta? Witzel anuncia filiação ao DC em 6 de março e pré-candidatura a governador" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2026-02-19. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  16. ^ "Ex-prefeito de Miguel Pereira, André Português articula pré-candidatura ao governo do RJ - Diário do Rio de Janeiro" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2026-02-20. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
  17. ^ "Com pré-candidatura de Flávio Bolsonaro ao Planalto, direita do Rio afunila nomes para comando do estado". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2026-01-11. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  18. ^ a b Abreu, Ricardo (21 January 2026). "Rio pode ter duas eleições para governador em um ano? Entenda o que é o mandato-tampão". G1. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
  19. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  20. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  21. ^ "Washington Reis diz que não será candidato em 2026 e promete virar "o maior cabo eleitoral do Rio" - Diário do Rio de Janeiro" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2026-02-14. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  22. ^ Interatividade, MoobiTech-Mobilidade &. "Benedita anuncia sua pré-candidatura ao Senado". Sinfrerj (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  23. ^ "Cláudio Castro deixa governo do Rio em abril". Exame (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2026-01-15. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  24. ^ Vivas, Fernanda (24 March 2026). "TSE torna ex-governador do Rio de Janeiro Cláudio Castro inelegível". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 25 March 2026.
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