Candidates for the government of Espírito Santo in 2026: Breno Barcelos (Missão), Helder Salomão (PT), Lorenzo Pazolini (Republicans), Rafael Demuner (UP) and Ricardo Ferraço (MDB)
Although some of the candidates have a background in public life — such as terms as federal deputy, mayor, councilor and even deputy governor and acting governor — none of them had previously run for the highest position in the state Executive.
The electoral race highlighted different views on the management of the state and the problems faced by the population of Espírito Santo.
Among the most explored topics in government programs, hearings and TV debates, the fight against organized crime and violence against women, the expansion of full-time education, the appreciation of teachers and discussions about working hours stood out.
On the streets, the candidates' presence was divided between agendas in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória and articulations across the interior of the state.
See highlights from each candidate's campaign
Breno Barcelos (Mission)
Breno Barcelos is 41 years old and is a candidate for elected office for the first time. During his campaign, Public Security was a prominent topic: among the most prominent proposals were the elimination of criminal factions and the reoccupation of territories dominated by these organizations.
“Crime has grown in Espírito Santo, unlike what the current governor said [...] Our priority is the fight against organized crime, not only in actions within communities, but also in the financial suffocation of this organized crime”, said the candidate in an interview with Gazeta Meio Dia, from TV Gazeta.
The candidate also proposed the construction of a maximum security prison for faction members — inspired by the model adopted at the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT) in El Salvador.
In his speeches and publications on social media, Breno Barcelos also highlighted the plan to eliminate favelas in Espírito Santo and the relocation of these families. The project, according to the candidate, also encompasses the development of infrastructure in these locations, the implementation of civic-military schools and improvements related to commerce and culture.
The candidate held campaign events in the Metropolitan Region and also in the North, Northwest and South of Espírito Santo.
Helder Salomão (PT)
Helder Salomão is a professor and is currently serving his third consecutive term as a federal deputy.
In his campaign, the former mayor of Cariacica highlighted that he is the candidate supported by Lula in Espírito Santo and his proposals for Education. Among the projects announced by the candidate for the area are the creation of a state care and mental health policy for teachers, the expansion of full-time education and compliance with the national salary minimum for the class.
"I included in our government program, after listening to many teachers, that we are going to implement in Espírito Santo, for all employees, but especially for teachers, the state care and mental health policy", declared Helder Salomão during a live interview on Gazeta Meio Dia, on TV Gazeta.
The candidate also addressed combating violence against women and feminicide, with emphasis on the proposal to implement a State Pact to Combat Violence against Women and Prevent Femicide and financial aid for women victims of violence. During his campaign, Helder Salomão fulfilled campaign agendas in Greater Vitória and also in the interior of the state.
Lorenzo Pazolini (Republicans)
Former mayor of Vitória, Lorenzo Pazolini was once an auditor at the Espírito Santo Court of Auditors (TC-ES) and had a career in the state's Civil Police before entering political life. During his campaign, the candidate highlighted the achievements of his term in the capital's city hall.
"Far beyond numbers, indices, qualifications, the most important thing is to have sensitivity, to be alongside the population of Espírito Santo at the moment they need it most. This is how we transformed Vitória into a national reference in health, education, qualification and quality of life, but, above all, in a human city, which values art, culture, entertainment and leisure, which has become a national reference in quality of life", said the candidate in the debate promoted by TV Gazeta.
In his campaign, Pazolini also highlighted his proposals for Education and Health. Among the projects are the end of queues for consultations and exams, the expansion of beds, the creation of Psychosocial Care Centers (Caps) and financial support for municipalities in primary care.
The candidate also promised to complete the work on the Cariacica General Hospital and the North Health Complex, in São Mateus, in addition to building the new State Children's Hospital.
In the area of Education, the candidate proposed expanding full-time education throughout Espírito Santo. Pazolini also addressed regional development and fulfilled agendas in Greater Vitória and the interior of the state.
Rafael Demuner (UP)
Rafael Demuner is a technical-administrative civil servant at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (Ufes) and state and national coordinator of the Class Struggle Movement. In his campaign, the candidate highlighted his support for the end of the 6x1 scale and his proposal for a 100% increase in the minimum wage.
"But, with a salary of R$ 1,621, the person cannot do this because they cannot close the accounts at the end of the month. They are forced to earn additional income, to do a 'side job'. So, UP defends a doubled national minimum wage, with a 100% increase. In our State, we want to create the Espírito Santo minimum wage in the amount of R$ 3,242, which is exactly the doubling", said Rafael Demuner in an interview with Gazeta Meio Dia, from TV Gazeta.
The candidate also defended the reduction of working hours for state and outsourced employees to 36 hours per week and the implementation of zero fares on public transport. He also highlighted the intention to establish a minimum state rental aid of R$1,000 and tax abandoned properties.
During his campaign, the candidate fulfilled agendas in municipalities in Greater Vitória and did not make visits to the interior of Espírito Santo.
Ricardo Ferraço (MDB)
Ricardo Ferraço served as vice-governor of Espírito Santo from 2023 and assumed the position of governor of the state in April this year after the departure of Renato Casagrande, who is running for a seat in the Senate. In his campaign, the candidate highlighted the achievements of his mandate and the objective of continuing the work carried out so far.
The candidate highlighted proposals in the areas of Education, Health and Public Security and declared that he intends to make Espírito Santo one of the safest states in the country.
“I am safe and I will work every day of my life until I make Espírito Santo one of the safest states in Brazil,” said Ferraço in an interview with Gazeta Meio Dia, on TV Gazeta. He also said that the state will have 3,650 new military police officers by the end of the year.
In relation to the Health area, Ricardo Ferraço stated that the government is building 108 basic health units and cited the construction of a cancer hospital in partnership with Hospital Evangélico in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim. For education, he highlighted that he intends to expand comprehensive education and build 144 new daycare centers, in addition to promising salary increases for teachers and a public competition with 3,000 vacancies for the position.
Ferraço fulfilled campaign agendas in all regions of the state.
