The 2026 São Paulo general election were held on 4 October 2026 in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Voters elected a Governor, Vice Governor, two Senators, 70 representatives for the Chamber of Deputies, and 94 Legislative Assembly members.
Incumbent governor Tarcísio de Freitas of the Republicans was re-elected in a landslide to a second term in the first round, defeating Fernando Haddad. This was a rematch of the 2022 São Paulo general election. Freitas was first elected in 2022 with 55.27% of the vote, defeating Haddad in a runoff. Incumbent senators Mara Gabrilli of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Alexandre Giordano of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) are also eligible to run for reelection.
Background
Election procedure
Electoral calendar15 MayStart of crowdfunding of candidates20 July to 5 AugustParty conventions for choosing candidates and coalitions16 August to 1 OctoberPeriod of exhibition of free electoral propaganda on radio, television and on the internet related to the first round4 OctoberFirst round of 2026 elections9 October to 23 OctoberPeriod of exhibition of free electoral propaganda on radio, television and on the internet related to a possible second round25 OctoberPossible second round of 2026 electionsuntil 19 DecemberDelivery of electoral diplomas for those who were elected in the 2026 elections by the Brazilian Election Justice
Gubernatorial candidates GovernorVice GovernorCoalitionPartiesCandidatePartyFederationRelevant officesCandidatePartyFederationRelevant offices10Tarcísio de FreitasTarcísio Gomes de FreitasRepublicanos Director-General of the National Department of Transport Infrastructure of Brazil (2014–2015); Minister of Infrastructure of Brazil (2019–2022); Governor of São Paulo (2023–2026).Felicio Ramuth Felício RamuthMDB Mayor of São José dos Campos (2017–2022); Vice Governor of São Paulo (2023–2026).Coragem para Seguir Avançando(Republicanos, MDB, PL, PSD, UPB (UNIÃO and PP), Fed. Renovação Solidária (PRD and Solidariedade), Democrata and Avante)13Fernando HaddadFernando HaddadPTFE Brasil Minister of Education of Brazil (2005–2012); Mayor of São Paulo (2013–2017); Minister of Finance of Brazil (2023–2026).Márcio FrançaMárcio Luiz França GomesPSB Mayor of São Vicente (1997–2004); Member of the Chamber of Deputies for São Paulo (2007–2015); State Secretary for Sports, Leisure and Tourism of São Paulo (2015–2018); State Secretary for Development of São Paulo (2015–2018); Vice Governor of São Paulo (2015–2018); Governor of São Paulo (2018–2019); Minister of Ports and Airports of Brazil (2023); Minister of Entrepreneurship, Microenterprise and Small Business of Brazil (2023–2026).Desperta São Paulo(FE Brasil (PT, PCdoB and PV), PSB, Fed. PSOL REDE (PSOL and REDE) and PDT)16Vera Lúcia SalgadoVera Lúcia Pereira da Silva SalgadoPSTUFabio BoscoFabio José BoscoPSTU21Carlos MachadoCarlos Alberto MachadoPCBFelipe QueirozFelipe de Oliveira QueirozPCB29Izadora DiasIzadora DiasPCONivaldo OrlandiNivaldo OrlandiPCO80Vivian MendesVivian Mendes da SilvaUPCris DamasioMaria Cristina Damasio de AlmeidaUP
Declined or withdrew
If Freitas had run for president
Ricardo Nunes (MDB) – businessman, incumbent Mayor of São Paulo (since 2021) and former City Councilor of São Paulo (2013–2020). Gilberto Kassab (PSD) – economist and civil engineer, State Secretary of Government and Institutional Relations of São Paulo (2023–2026), former Mayor of São Paulo (2006–2012), and former Minister of Science, Technology and Communications of Brazil (2016–2019). Felicio Ramuth (MDB) – administrator and businessman, incumbent Vice Governor of São Paulo (since 2023) and former Mayor of São José dos Campos (2017–2022). André do Prado (PL) – systems analyst, incumbent President of the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo (since 2023) and of the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo of (since 2011), and former Mayor of Guararema (2005–2008). Guilherme Derrite (PP) – former Military Police captain, Member of the Chamber of Deputies for São Paulo (since 2019), and former State Secretary of Public Security of São Paulo (2023–2025).
Withdrawn candidates
Geraldo Alckmin (PSB) – anesthesiologist, incumbent Vice President of Brazil and former Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services of Brazil (2023–2026), and former Governor of São Paulo (2001–2006; 2011–2018).
Márcio França (PSB) – lawyer, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Microenterprise and Small Business, former Governor of São Paulo (2018–2019), and former Vice Governor of São Paulo (2015–2018).
Erika Hilton (PSOL) – activist and politician, Member of the Chamber of Deputies for São Paulo (since 2023), and former City Councilor of São Paulo (2021–2023).
Kim Kataguiri (MISSÃO) – Member of the Chamber of Deputies for São Paulo (2019–2026). On June 20, 2026, Kataguiri announced that he would seek reelection to the Chamber of Deputies rather than run for governor. He also offered to serve as Minister of Finance in the event of a victory by Renan Santos, stating that he would focus on assembling an economic team for his party colleague. At the time, MISSÃO had not yet decided whether to remain neutral in the São Paulo gubernatorial election or field its own ticket.
Paulo Serra (PSDB) – former Mayor of Santo André (2017–2025). Serra withdrew from the gubernatorial race and instead decided to run for the Chamber of Deputies.
Camilo Terra (PCB) – civil servant. Terra withdrew from the race after encountering issues with the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office and was replaced by Carlos Machado as the party's gubernatorial candidate.
Rejected candidates Edjane Lima (Act) – policewoman. On September 18, 2026, Lima′s candidacy for the São Paulo governorship was rejected by the Regional Electoral Court (TRE). The Act party in São Paulo withdrew from the electoral race, citing a lack of funds to finance the campaign.
Senatorial candidates The 2026 São Paulo Senatorial election were held in a single round on 4 October 2026 to renew two-thirds of the state's representation in the Federal Senate of Brazil. The seats held by Mara Gabrilli of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Alexandre Giordano of Podemos (PODE) were up for election.
Alexandre Giordano (PODE), who had been elected in 2018 as the first substitute on the ticket headed by Major Olímpio, then a member of the Social Liberal Party, took office on 31 March 2021 following Olímpio's death from complications of COVID-19. Giordano later announced that he would not seek reelection.
On 6 March 2026, Senator Mara Gabrilli, who had been elected in 2018 as a member of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) and left the party in 2023 after 19 years to join the PSD, announced that she would run for the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo in the October 2026 elections, therefore leaving the Federal Senate after serving a single eight-year term. SenatorSubstitute membersCoalitionPartiesCandidatePartyFederationRelevant offices111Guilherme DerriteGuilherme Muraro DerritePPUPB Member of the Chamber of Deputies for São Paulo (2019–2026); State Secretary of Public Security of São Paulo (2023–2025).José Vicente Santini(Republicanos)Julio Serson(PP)Coragem para Seguir Avançando(Republicanos, MDB, PL, PSD, UPB (UNIÃO and PP), Fed. Renovação Solidária (PRD and Solidariedade), Democrata and Avante)144Guto Schiavetto MISSÃOMedon(MISSÃO)Fabio Rodrigues(MISSÃO)160Weller GonçalvesWeller Pereira da SilvaPSTUMaria Guilherme(PSTU)Bruno Teixeira(PSTU)161Dr.ª ElianaEliana Lucia FerreiraPSTUClaudio Donizete(PSTU)Veruska Tenorio(PSTU)180Marina SilvaMaria Osmarina Marina da Silva Vaz de LimaREDEFed. PSOL REDE Member of the City Council of Rio Branco (1989–1991); Member of the Legislative Assembly of Acre (1991–1995); Senate for Acre (1995–2011); Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of Brazil (2003–2008; 2023–2026).Djalma Nery(PSOL)Antônio Neto(PDT)Desperta São Paulo(FE Brasil (PT, PCdoB and PV), PSB, Fed. PSOL REDE (PSOL and REDE) and PDT)200Geraldo RufinoGeraldo Aristides RufinoPODEAna Estima(PODE)Jason Albuquerque(PODE)211Petter MaahsPetter Maahs da SilvaPCBOlga Soares Gallati(PCB)Vinicius Jardim Carvalho(PCB)222André do PradoAndré Luis do PradoPL Member of the City Council of Guararema (1993–2000); Municipal Secretary of Health of Guararema (2001–2004); Vice Mayor of Guararema (2001–2004); Mayor of Guararema (2005–2008); Member of the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo (2011–2026); President of the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo (2023–2026).Fernando Fiori(PL)Rute Costa(PL)Coragem para Seguir Avançando(Republicanos, MDB, PL, PSD, UPB (UNIÃO and PP), Fed. Renovação Solidária (PRD and Solidariedade), Democrata and Avante)232Soninha FrancineSonia Francine Gaspar MarmoCidadaniaFed. PSDB Cidadania Member of the City Council of São Paulo (2005–2008); Subprefect of Lapa (2009–2010); Municipal Secretary of Social Assistance of São Paulo (2017); Municipal Secretary of Human Rights and Citizenship of São Paulo (2022–2025).Dr. Fabio Lopes (Cidadania)Shell Gomes(Cidadania)Fed. PSDB Cidadania(PSDB and Cidadania)290Ednelson CesarettiEdnelson CesarettiPCOCarlos Augusto(PCO)André Amado(PCO)360William TeixeiraWilliam Teixeira de OliveiraAgirToninho Serapião Tubarão(Agir)José Vaz(Agir)400Simone TebetSimone Nassar TebetPSB Member of the Legislative Assembly of Mato Grosso do Sul (2003–2005); Mayor of Três Lagoas (2005–2010); Vice Governor of Mato Grosso do Sul (2011–2015); State Secretary of Government of Mato Grosso do Sul (2013–2014); Senator for Mato Grosso do Sul (2015–2023); Minister of Planning and Budget of Brazil (2023–2026).Laio Morais(PT)Marcelo Barbieri(PDT)Desperta São Paulo(FE Brasil (PT, PCdoB and PV), PSB, Fed. PSOL REDE (PSOL and REDE) and PDT)800Márcio AlvesMárcio Alves dos SantosUPManoel Pereira(UP)Allana Matos(UP)808Maíra de SouzaMaria Dias de SouzaUPRenato Melo(UP)Penha Daolio(UP) Declined or withdrew
Declined
Geraldo Alckmin (PSB) – anesthesiologist, incumbent Vice President of Brazil, former Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (2023–2026) and Governor of São Paulo (2001–2006; 2011–2018).
Withdrawn candidates
Márcio França (PSB) – lawyer, former Minister of Entrepreneurship, Microenterprise and Small Business (2023–2026), former Governor of São Paulo (2018–2019), and former Vice Governor of São Paulo (2015–2018). Ricardo Salles (NOVO) – former State Secretary of the Environment of São Paulo (2016–2017), former Minister of Environment (2019–2021), and Member of the Chamber of Deputies for São Paulo (2023–2026).
Debates Televised debates and interviews are scheduled to take place between 9 August and 29 September 2026 during the first round. Broadcasters chose to invite candidates who were polling well in opinion polls.
Gubernatorial candidates 2026 São Paulo gubernatorial election debatesDate, time and locationHostsModeratorsParticipantsPTRepHaddadFreitas1.1Sunday, 9 August 2026, 20:00, São PauloBand TV, BandNews TV, BandNews FM, Rádio BandeirantesRodolfo Schneider1.2Friday, 18 September 2026SBT São Paulo, RedeTV!, Redevida, CNN Brasil, SBT News,Novabrasil São Paulo, Veja, Exame, Terra, Metrópoles, Portal PlatôBRcolspan=2 1.3Monday, 21 September 2026, 13:25Record São Paulo, O Estado de S. Paulo, R7Reinaldo Gottino1.4Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 22:30TV Globo São Paulo, G1Alan Severiano Key:
Senatorial candidates 2026 São Paulo senatorial election debatesDate, time and locationHostsModeratorsParticipantsPPCidPLPODENOVOREDEPSBDerriteFrancinePradoRufinoSallesSilvaTebet1Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 22:45, São PauloBand TV, BandNews TV, Bandplay, YouTubeMarco Antonio Sabino2Monday, 21 September 2026, 10:00, São PauloUOL, Folha de S. PauloFabíola Cidral3Wednesday, 23 September 2026, 19:00, São PauloO Estado de S. Paulo, FAAPRoseann Kennedy4Friday, 25 September 2026, 13:00, São PauloG1Ana Paula CamposKey:
Opinion polling Governor
First round