Rafael Fonteles is re-elected governor of Piauí in the first round

In his first statement after the victory, Rafael Fonteles (PT) spoke about continuing his work as governor of Piauí and thanked voters for the trust placed in them by the population.

"My gratitude to God and the people of Piauí, who once again gave us a vote of confidence. Our work will continue, thinking of everyone, without leaving anyone behind. Thank you very much, my people! Let's go together!", he wrote on a social network.

Rafael Fonteles was re-elected governor of Piauí this Sunday (4). With 99.37% of the sections counted, the candidate had 70.86% of the valid votes, according to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). Joel Rodrigues had 27.58%. Check the results of the Elections in 2026 across Brazil.

Rafael Fonteles' vice-governor is Washington Bandeira (PT).

The governor followed the counting of votes in his own home, alongside his family. He is expected to give a press conference this Sunday, during a meeting with supporters at an event space in the East Zone of Teresina.

Profile of the elected governor

Rafael Tajra Fonteles, from the Workers' Party (PT), was elected to office for the first time in the first round of the 2022 elections, with 57.62% of the valid votes, and took office in January 2023.

He is 41 years old and joined the PT at 16. He has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI). He began his career as a teacher and became a master in mathematical economics at the National Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (Impa), located in Rio de Janeiro.

In 2015, he took over the Piauí Finance Secretariat, during the government of Wellington Dias (PT). He left office in 2022, to run for State Government.

During his period as head of the Finance Secretariat, Fonteles coordinated the Pro Piauí program, aimed at investments and development in the state. He also chaired the National Committee of State and Federal District Finance Secretaries (Comsefaz) between 2019 and 2022.

At the head of the state Executive, Fonteles began to lead political and administrative articulations in the Northeast. In 2025, he assumed the presidency of the Northeast Consortium, an entity that brings together the nine states in the region.