In the midst of finding a candidate for the Government of , the name of , son of former vice-president José Alencar, began to be considered as an alternative for the dispute.
Former president of Fiesp (Federation of Industry of the State of São Paulo), Josué is from Minas Gerais, born in Ubá, a municipality in Zona da Mata, and president of the textile group Coteminas. His father was vice president (PT) in the PT’s first two terms.
Josué, 62, has also run in a majority candidacy in the state, when he ran for the Senate for the MDB, in 2014, and came in second place with 40% of the votes – at the time, only one seat was up for grabs.
The articulation around the businessman’s name was confirmed to the report by people linked to the Minas Gerais PT, but it did not involve Josué’s affiliation with Lula’s party.
When asked to comment on the movement, Josué told Sheet that “speculation at this moment is natural” and that the state has excellent names and great leaders.
The report found that the conversations came from Virgílio Guimarães, former deputy from Minas Gerais, one of the founders of the PT and close to the Alencar family.
“He is a person who deserves to be remembered [nas articulações]I think it’s natural. But it’s important to say that he never took any initiative around this, there is nothing concrete, especially on his part”, said Virgílio.
The former parliamentarian currently serves as advisor to Minister Alexandre Silveira (PSD) in the Mines and Energy portfolio.
One of the PT’s local leaders, Virgílio stated that Josué’s name has been remembered in the face of two recent episodes that he considers to be victorious: his management at the head of Fiesp, which ended in 2025, and the creditors’ approval of Coteminas’ judicial recovery plan, in a restructuring that involves debts of R$2 billion.
O for the dispute for the state government and, thus, guaranteeing a platform for Lula to contest re-election.
The president has publicly declared that his first option is the senator (PSD), but given the contrary signals given by the parliamentarian in recent months, Lulistas are trying to look for a plan B in Minas.
Among the names mentioned is that of the president of the Legislative Assembly, Tadeu Leite (MDB), who has stated that he will not be a candidate for a majority position this year.
Also mentioned in local PT bodies were the rector of UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais), Sandra Goulart, the former attorney general of Justice Jarbas Soares and the mayor of Juiz de Fora, Margarida Salomão – who states that she will continue in her current position.
The name of the former mayor of Alexandre Kalil (PDT) is mentioned, but there have been rifts between him and some local leaders since the 2022 election, when he was supported by Lula and lost to current governor Romeu Zema (Novo) in the first round.
who was even considered in the race for the Tiradentes Palace, is the party’s pre-candidate for the Senate, on a ticket that could also include minister Alexandre Silveira.
Lula’s first-time ally, Silveira must leave the party. The PSD joined the , which will join the state government. One of Silveira’s possible destinations is PSB.
In addition to Simões, another pre-candidate declared for the dispute for the Government of Minas is the former president of the Chamber of Belo Horizonte Gabriel Azevedo (MDB). Senator Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicans) has not yet decided whether he will run or not.
