After nominating his sister as a candidate for vice-governor on the Eduardo Paes (PSD) ticket, the former mayor of Duque de Caxias, Washington Reis (MDB), hinted at mounting the Bolsonarist candidacy for the state government. In an interview with the CNT program “Jogo do Poder”, broadcast this Sunday, Reis explained that he had spoken with senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) before closing the alliance with Paes, and stated that he was not willing to “embark on an adventure”.
Reis’ speech was a reference to the PL’s candidacy for government: the party is currently divided between launching the state secretary of Cities, Douglas Ruas (PL), or the head of the Civil Police, Felipe Curi (no party). Ruas was elected state deputy in 2022 for the first time, while Curi has never held an elected position.
— Due to my withdrawal from being a candidate, he (Flávio) asked me what I was going to do, he asked me to “wait a little”. But I said: “I’m determined, I’m not going to wait for the candidate you’re going to program for state government.” My political asset is not about to embark on an adventure. (…) I’m not about to take tests, I’m a national team player — said Reis.
Opportunity with security!
Despite his refusal to go along with the PL in the state election, Reis said he assured Flávio that he will support his candidacy for President — although Paes, his candidate for government, will campaign for President Lula (PT). According to the former mayor of Duque de Caxias, he and Paes only discussed the government ticket, without necessarily lining up for other positions.
Support for Castro
In the race for the Senate, for example, Reis declared in the interview with CNT that he will ask for votes for the current governor Cláudio Castro (PL). Castro’s eventual candidacy will force the Legislative Assembly (Alerj) to elect a buffer governor, with a mandate until the end of the year; In this dispute, Reis said he supports the current head of the Civil House, Nicola Miccione (PL), who is Castro’s favorite for the post.
According to Reis, the alliance with Paes was signed in a meeting on the 12th, shortly after the Federal Supreme Court (STF) postponed the analysis of an appeal by the former mayor of Duque de Caxias, who was trying to reverse a conviction for an environmental crime. Without the end of the trial, Reis understood that he runs the risk of remaining ineligible this year, the same situation that had already prevented him from being Castro’s vice-president in 2022.
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— This process has been dragging on (in the STF), and I understood that it takes time, which is why I declared that I would no longer be a candidate for any position this year. That same night, Paes called me, wanting to come to my house and talk about politics — Reis told CNT. — He (Paes) told me, “come be governor with me, nominate whoever you want for the ticket”. Jane was at the table, I said: “It could be Jane”.
Jane Reis, sister of the former mayor and nominated for Paes’ ticket, has little experience in candidacy — she ran for mayor of Magé in 2020, and was not elected — but is described by her family as being responsible for all of her brothers’ accountability in political campaigns since the 1990s. According to Washington, the decision to nominate Jane was due to attributes such as being a “valuable woman”, “lawyer”, “great mother” and “pastor’s wife”.
