TSE Justice Kassio Nunes Marques voted on Tuesday (14th) to declare former Roraima governor Antonio Denarium ineligible due to abuse of power in the 2022 elections, but supported keeping Governor Edison Damião in office. The trial was suspended after Minister Estela Aranha requested more time for review, promising a quick vote. The score stands at 3-0 against Denarium.
Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) suspended on Tuesday (April 14, 2026) the trial on the cassation and ineligibility of Antonio Denarium (Republicanos), former Roraima governor, and Edison Damião (União Brasil), current governor. Justice Kassio Nunes Marques voted to deem Denarium ineligible for illicit conduct that affected the 2022 state elections, but argued that "factual situations allowed the exceptional maintenance" of Damião's term.
Rapporteur Isabel Gallotti and Justice André Mendonça had already voted similarly against Denarium, for a 3-0 score. Estela Aranha requested a "quick" review, without using the full 90 days, citing Nunes Marques' "new thesis" to exonerate Damião. Votes are pending from Antonio Carlos Ferreira, Floriano de Azevedo, and Cármen Lúcia.
Denarium and Damião were convicted four times by the TRE-RR for misuse of public machinery and social programs like Cesta da Família and Morar Melhor to aid reelection. In an 82-page vote, Gallotti confirmed irregularities such as basic food basket deliveries, housing reforms, transfer of R$70 million to municipalities, and excessive advertising spending, using the covid-19 pandemic as a pretext.
Both deny wrongdoing. The case has dragged on at the TSE for nearly two years, marking the third suspension.
