The 2022 Rio de Janeiro state election took place in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 2 October 2022. Voters elected a governor, vice governor, one senator, two alternate senator, 46 representatives for the Chamber of Deputies, and 70 Legislative Assembly members, with a possible second round to be held on 30 October 2022. Under the Constitution of Brazil, the governor would be elected for a four-year term starting 1 January 2023, which, with the approval of Constitutional Amendment No. 111, will end on 6 January 2027.
The incumbent governor, Cláudio Castro, a member of the Liberal Party, was eligible for a second term, and intended to run for reelection. He was the vice governor of Rio de Janeiro until Wilson Witzel was convicted and removed from office on 30 April 2021 as a result of his impeachment trial. Castro beat his opponent Marcelo Freixo in the first round.
For the election to the Federal Senate, the seat occupied by Romário (PL), elected in 2014 by the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), was in dispute. Romário won reelection against a disparate field of candidates including Alessandro Molon, Clarissa Garotinho, and Daniel Silveira, whose candidacy was disqualified after the election.
Electoral calendar
Electoral calendar15 MayStart of crowdfunding of candidates20 July to 5 AugustParty conventions for choosing candidates and coalitions16 August to 30 SeptemberPeriod of exhibition of free electoral propaganda on radio, television and on the internet related to the first round2 OctoberFirst round of 2022 elections7 October to 28 OctoberPeriod of exhibition of free electoral propaganda on radio, television and on the internet related to a possible second round30 OctoberPossible second round of 2022 electionsuntil 19 DecemberDelivery of electoral diplomas for those who were elected in the 2022 elections by the Brazilian Election Justice
Legislative Assembly The following table shows the result of the 2018 election and the composition of the Legislative Assembly as of 4 April 2022:
Gubernatorial candidates The party conventions began on 20 July and continued until 5 August. The following political parties had confirmed their candidacies. Political parties had until 15 August 2022 to formally register their candidates.
Confirmed candidates Party Candidate Most relevant political office or occupationPartyRunning mate CoalitionElectoral numberTV time per party/coalition Refs. Liberal Party (PL) Cláudio CastroGovernor of Rio de Janeiro(since 2021) Brazil Union (UNIÃO) Thiago PampolhaRio United and Stronger Liberal Party (PL) Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) Progressistas (PP) Brazil Union (UNIÃO) Republicans Solidariedade Social Christian Party (PSC) Brazilian Labour Party (PTB) Avante Podemos (PODE) Brazilian Labour Renewal Party (PRTB) Republican Party of the Social Order (PROS) Party of National Mobilization (PMN) Christian Democracy (DC)224min and 51secBrazilian Socialist Party (PSB) Marcelo Freixo Federal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro(since 2019) Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) Cesar Maia Life Will Get Better Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) Brazil of Hope Workers' Party (PT) Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB) Green Party (PV) PSOL REDE Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) Sustainability Network (REDE) Always Forward Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) Cidadania403min and 04sec Democratic Labour Party (PDT) Rodrigo NevesMayor of Niterói(2013–2020) Social Democratic Party (PSD) Felipe Santa CruzTo Change With Those Who Know How To Govern Democratic Labour Party (PDT) Social Democratic Party (PSD) Patriota Act (AGIR)121min and 40sec New Party (NOVO) Paulo GanimeFederal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro(since 2019) New Party (NOVO) Helio Secco3024sec United Socialist Workers' Party (PSTU) Cyro GarciaFederal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro(1992–1993) United Socialist Workers' Party (PSTU) Samantha Guedes16 Brazilian Communist Party (PCB) Eduardo SerraTeacher at the Institute of International Relations and Defense of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Brazilian Communist Party (PCB) Bianca Novaes21 Popular Unity (UP) JulieteNational coordinator of the MLB (Movement of the Struggle in the Neighbourhoods, Villages and Favelas). Popular Unity (UP)Juliana Alves80 Workers' Cause Party (PCO) Luiz Eugênio HonoratoRetired steelworker. Workers' Cause Party (PCO) Guilherme de Lima29Brazilian Woman's Party (PMB)Wilson WitzelGovernor of Rio de Janeiro(2019–2021)Brazilian Woman's Party (PMB)Sidclei Bernardo35The television time reserved for political propaganda for each election was distributed among all parties and coalitions that had a candidate and representation in the Chamber of Deputies.Total: 10 minutes
Withdrawn candidates
Felipe Santa Cruz (PSD) - president of the Order of Attorneys of Brazil (Brazilian Bar Association - OAB) (2019–2022). The announcement was made by the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, a political ally of Cruz. According to Paes, the Social Democratic Party decided to support the candidacy of Rodrigo Neves for the government. The agreement defined that Santa Cruz would be Neves' running mate. Roberto Jefferson (PTB) - federal deputy from Rio de Janeiro (1983–2005). Jefferson was on house arrest since August 2021. His candidacy was announced by his daughter, Cristiane Brasil, in June 2022. However, in July, the party decided not to announce a candidacy for the state election, and they opted instead for candidates for the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro and the Chamber of Deputies. Anthony Garotinho (UNIÃO) - governor of Rio de Janeiro (1999–2002). He announced his candidacy in May 2022. However, in July, the Regional Electoral Court of Rio de Janeiro ratified his criminal conviction for vote buying, making him ineligible by the electoral law again. The party decided to not launch his candidacy. Later, Garotinho announced his candidacy for the Chamber of Deputies. Colonel Emir Larangeira (PMB) - state deputy of Rio de Janeiro (1991–1995). He was announced as a candidate in May 2022, but was defeated in the party primaries in July by the former governor of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel. Washington Reis (MDB) - mayor of Duque de Caxias for two periods: 2005–2008 and 2017–2022, federal deputy from Rio de Janeiro (2011–2016). Brazilian businessman and politician. Reis resigned from the position as candidate for vice governor on Cláudio Castro's ticket due to Electoral Justice's decision on not allowing Reis to run as candidate. Due the limited time to seek Justice's approval on his name, Reis resigned.
Senatorial candidates The party conventions began on 20 July and continued until 5 August. The following political parties had confirmed their candidacies. Political parties had until 15 August 2022 to formally register their candidates.
Confirmed candidates Party CandidateMost relevant political office or occupationParty Candidates for alternate senatorsCoalitionElectoral numberTV time per party/coalition Ref.Liberal Party (PL) Romário Senator for Rio de Janeiro(since 2015)Liberal Party (PL)1st alternate senator:Bruno Bonetti rowspan="2" 222TBD2nd alternate senator:Andrea FontesBrazilian Socialist Party (PSB) Alessandro Molon Federal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro(since 2011)Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB)1st alternate senator:Anderson Quack rowspan="2" 400TBD2nd alternate senator:Uiara MartinsBrazil Union (UNIÃO) Clarissa Federal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro(since 2015)Brazil Union (UNIÃO)1st alternate senator:Algacir Moulin rowspan="2" 444TBD2nd alternate senator:Dudu CanellaBrazilian Labour Party (PTB)Daniel SilveiraFederal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro(since 2019)Brazilian Labour Party (PTB)1st alternate senator:André Monteiro rowspan="2" 142TBD2nd alternate senator:Marão LilinhoWorkers' Party (PT) André Ceciliano President of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro(since 2019) Green Party (PV)1st alternate senator:Sergio ZveiterBrazil of Hope Workers' Party (PT) Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB) Green Party (PV)133TBD2nd alternate senator:Wilson BorgesDemocratic Labour Party (PDT)Cabo Daciolo Federal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro(2015–2019)Democratic Labour Party (PDT)1st alternate senator: Negrogun rowspan="2" 120TBD2nd alternate senator: Mara HofansForward (AVANTE)ItagibaFederal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro(2007–2011)Forward (AVANTE)1st alternate senator:Amato rowspan="2" 700TBD2nd alternate senator:Anderson ClaudinoUnited Socialist Workers' Party (PSTU) Bárbara SinedinoTeacherUnited Socialist Workers' Party (PSTU) 1st alternate senator:Sérgio Perdigão rowspan="2" 160TBD2nd alternate senator:Rodrigo da Silva Popular Unity (UP)RaulCivil servant Popular Unity (UP)1st alternate senator:Gabriela Gonçalves rowspan="2" 800TBD2nd alternate senator:FormigãoBrazilian Woman's Party (PMB)Dr. Paulo MarceloMedical doctorBrazilian Woman's Party (PMB)1st alternate senator:Alexandre Cardoso rowspan="2" 355TBD2nd alternate senator:Marlucia CruzWorkers' Cause Party (PCO)Antonio Hermanon/aWorkers' Cause Party (PCO)1st alternate senator:Aloizio Lamy rowspan="2" 290TBD2nd alternate senator:Bruno Maia de SáBrazilian Communist Party (PCB)Hiran RoedelRetired civil servantBrazilian Communist Party (PCB)1st alternate senator:Marta Barçante rowspan="2" 211TBD2nd alternate senator:Bruno Maia de SáChristian Democracy (DC)Prof. Helvio CostaAccountantChristian Democracy (DC)1st alternate senator:Pastor Antônio Carlos rowspan="2" 277TBD2nd alternate senator:MisterThe television time reserved for political propaganda for each election was distributed among all parties and coalitions that had a candidate and representation in the Chamber of Deputies.Total: 5 minutes
Withdrawn candidates
Washington Reis (MDB) - mayor of Duque de Caxias for two periods: 2005–2008 and 2017–2022, federal deputy from Rio de Janeiro (2011–2016). Brazilian businessman and politician. Reis resigned from the mayoralty of Duque de Caxias in early April to run for the Senate, but withdrew from the race in June after being confirmed as a candidate for vice governor on Cláudio Castro's ticket. Luciana Boiteux (PSOL) - candidate for vice-mayor of Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Brazilian teacher, lawyer and politician. Boiteux withdrew her candidacy on 27 May 2022, after the Socialism and Liberty Party's decision to support Alessandro Molon's candidacy for the Senate. Carlos Fidalgo (Solidariedade) - president of Força Sindical of Rio de Janeiro since 2016. His candidacy was withdrawn on 7 June after the party declared support for André Ceciliano's candidacy for the Senate. Marcelo Crivella (Republicanos) - mayor of Rio de Janeiro (2017–2021) and senator for Rio de Janeiro (2003–2017). He withdrew his candidacy to run for a seat in the Chamber of Deputies. Ivanir dos Santos (PDT) - babalawo and professor. He was announced as a candidate in June 2022 after Cabo Daciolo's initial withdrawal from the Senate race, but Daciolo decided to announce his candidacy again some weeks later, just before the deadline for political parties to define their candidacies. Daciolo ended up being the nominee on the Rodrigo Neves' ticket for the Senate race, and Ivanir refused to be nominated as an alternate senator on the ticket or to run for the Chamber of Deputies.
Opinion polls Governor
First round The first round was scheduled to take place on 2 October 2022.