JHC (PSDB) is elected governor of Alagoas with 52.09% of valid votes

JHC (PSDB) — Photo: Lucas Leite/g1

JHC (PSDB) was elected governor of Alagoas this Sunday (4). At 9:38 pm, with 98.28% of the sections counted, the candidate had 52.09% of the valid votes, according to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). The elected vice-governor is Célia Rocha (PSDB).

Second place, Renan Filho (MDB) had 47.48% of the valid votes. In total, there were 1,677,723 valid votes. White votes totaled 55,113 (2.90%) and null votes, 165,895 (8.74%).

Lenilda Luna (UP) had 0.38% of the valid votes, while Márcio Jambo (Democrat) received 0.05%.

How was the dispute

The election for the government of Alagoas was marked mainly by the dispute between JHC and Renan Filho (MDB). JHC arrived at the campaign after leaving Maceió City Hall to run for government, while Renan Filho tried to return to Palácio República dos Palmares four years after leaving office.

JHC ran for the "Alagoas Gigante" coalition, with the former mayor of Arapiraca Célia Rocha, also from the PSDB, as a candidate for vice-governor.

During the campaign, polls showed a tight race between the two main candidates. Surveys released in the last days before the election showed JHC and Renan Filho technically tied within their respective margins of error.

In addition to JHC and Renan Filho, Lenilda Luna (UP) and Márcio Jambo (Democrat) ran for government.

In the campaign, JHC presented proposals such as the creation of a single list for consultations and exams in the Unified Health System (SUS), the expansion of the Saúde da Gente program to the state, the creation of a third health macro-region and the expansion of the Family Health Strategy.

In public security, he promised to hire 3,500 military police officers and expand the operation of specialized police stations to assist women. He also presented proposals such as the Women's Bank, Aluguel Maria da Penha and the construction of daycare centers called "Gigantinhos".

In the area of ​​mobility, one of the main proposals presented during the campaign was the implementation of a BRT system in the Metropolitan Region of Maceió.

Who is JHC

João Henrique Holanda Caldas, known as JHC, was born in Maceió on July 22, 1987. Lawyer, he reached the 2026 election at the age of 39.

JHC's political trajectory began in the Legislative Assembly of Alagoas. He was then elected federal deputy and served two terms in the Chamber of Deputies, starting in 2015.

In 2020, he left the Chamber after being elected mayor of Maceió. JHC won the municipal dispute in the second round and took office as mayor in January 2021.

Four years later, he was re-elected mayor of the capital in the first round. In April 2026, he left office before the end of his second term to run for government of Alagoas.

In the state election, he ran for the PSDB, with number 45, with Célia Rocha as vice candidate.

From Maceió City Hall to the government

JHC (PSDB) — Photo: Lucas Leite/g1

The victory takes JHC to command of the government of Alagoas for the first time after more than five years at the helm of Maceió City Hall.

The result also expands the political trajectory started in the Legislature. Before commanding the capital, JHC passed through the Legislative Assembly and the Chamber of Deputies.

The 2026 dispute pitted two politicians who have commanded the state's main Executives in recent years face to face. On one side, JHC, who administered Maceió between 2021 and April 2026. On the other, Renan Filho, governor of Alagoas between 2015 and 2022.

JHC contested the election for the "Alagoas Gigante" coalition, formed by the PSDB/Cidadania Federation and allied parties. His candidate for vice president, Célia Rocha, has already served as mayor of Arapiraca.