Discontent with Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, PP leaders are considering launching former Governor Rodrigo Garcia as their own candidate for São Paulo's governorship in 2026. The party prioritizes electing Guilherme Derrite to the Senate but sees potential in Garcia to mobilize support. The move reflects complaints from mayors and lawmakers about the current government's lack of attention.
The Progressive Party (PP) is evaluating the possibility of launching its own candidacy for the São Paulo governorship in 2026, with former Governor Rodrigo Garcia as a prominent name. Garcia, who left the PSDB in March 2024, has been in talks with the PP for potential affiliation. However, the party's main focus is electing federal Deputy Guilherme Derrite, former state Security Secretary, to the Senate.
Discontent with Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos) has driven the discussions. In a statement released on December 27, 2024, the PP highlighted "growing discontent among mayors" and "recurrent complaints about lack of attention to lawmakers." With Flávio Bolsonaro's (PL-RJ) pre-candidacy for the presidency, the party sees it as strategic to back a name aligned with its national project.
Garcia is regarded as able to bolster the PP's campaign structure. In 2022, during his re-election bid, he received support from nearly 500 of São Paulo's 645 mayors in the first round. More recently, he drafted the government plan for Mayor Ricardo Nunes' (MDB) 2024 re-election and served as a campaign advisor.
Other names mentioned include Deputy Ricardo Salles (Novo), who denies interest in running against Tarcísio, and Filipe Sabará, who would only enter the race if the governor does not support Flávio Bolsonaro. The PP has publicly announced it is studying an independent candidacy but does not prioritize it.
