The governor of São Paulo, Tarcisio de Freitas (Republicans), said on Wednesday, 17, that he does not intend to dispute the Presidency of the Republic in 2026. During a commitment in Araçatuba, in São Paulo, Tarcisio stated that the priority is to compete for another term in front of Bandeirantes. “I intend to run for reelection,” he told reporters when asked about his political plans.
Although it has already denied, on other occasions, the possibility of launching a candidate for the Planalto, the new statement occurs in a moment of movement of the governor around the amnesty project to the convicts of coup d’état, including his political godfather, former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL). This is also the first time he has commented on the matter after Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison, considered leader of the coup plot by the Supreme Court (STF).
Research from the Atlas/Bloomberg Institute on the 2026 elections released on Wednesday, 17, considered scenarios in which Tarcisio participates in the presidential dispute. In a possible second round, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) has 50.6% of voting intentions, while the governor of São Paulo appears with 45.2%. Another 4.2% could not answer or would vote blank or null.
The survey also probed voters’ opinion on Tarcisio’s recent position on the amnesty project. In a demonstration of September 7, Brazil’s Independence Day, the governor stated: “No one can handle the tyranny of a minister like (Alexandre) Moraes. No one can handle what is happening in this country. (…) Let’s go to victory, let’s go to amnesty. I’m sure we’re going to amnesty.”
Asked whether or not they agree with the sentence, 49.1% of respondents said they totally disagree, while 43.5% fully agree. In addition, there are 5.9% that say they partially agree and 1.3%, partially disagree. Asked if they would vote for Tarcisio if he maintains the posture adopted in the speech on the 7th, 54.5% say they would certainly not vote, another 31.8% say they would surely vote, 11.5% point out that there would be a greater chance of voting in it and 0.5% that this chance would be lower. Already 1.8% does not know.
