- Flávio Bolsonaro named conservative Congressman Alfredo Gaspar as his running mate on Wednesday, ending weeks of speculation over his presidential ticket for the October election against incumbent President Lula.
- The announcement highlighted the challenges facing Bolsonaro’s campaign, which has struggled to build alliances beyond his own Liberal Party and failed to recruit a woman for the ticket.
- Gaspar, 55, has represented the northeastern state of Alagoas in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies since 2023 and previously served as its public security secretary.
- Accepting the nomination, Gaspar described himself as 'a simple person from the northeast' and vowed to fight corruption and organized crime.
- A Quaest survey published on Wednesday showed Lula leading Bolsonaro 44% to 39% in a simulated run-off.
- Bolsonaro has struggled to expand his coalition, with several centre-right parties choosing to back Lula’s broader coalition or remain neutral to maximize their representation in Congress.
- Several higher-profile figures, including Tereza Cristina and Daniella Marques, failed to secure support from their parties to join the ticket.
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has officially named Alfredo Gaspar, a conservative Congressman from Alagoas, as his running mate for the upcoming October election against incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This decision, announced on Wednesday, comes after weeks of speculation and highlights the ongoing challenges within Bolsonaro's campaign.123
Gaspar, 55, has been a member of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies since 2023 and previously served as the public security secretary for Alagoas. He described himself as “a simple person from the northeast” committed to transforming Brazil into a “fair and decent place”. His selection is seen as a strategic move to address public security issues, a sensitive topic for Lula's administration.
Political analyst Lucas de Aragao noted that Gaspar's authority on public safety could provide Bolsonaro with a strong platform to challenge Lula. “He has the authority to deal with an issue that is uncomfortable for Lula,” Aragao stated. The choice of Gaspar also underscores Bolsonaro's difficulties in forming alliances beyond his own Liberal Party (PL), as previous candidates, including women, failed to gain support from their parties.
A recent Quaest survey indicated that Lula leads Bolsonaro 44% to 39% in a simulated run-off, a decrease from an eight-point lead in mid-July. The announcement of Gaspar's candidacy reflects the ongoing struggle within Bolsonaro's campaign to broaden its appeal and solidify its base ahead of the election.5
Valdemar Costa Neto, head of the PL, mentioned that discussions about Gaspar's candidacy had been ongoing for months, emphasizing the importance of keeping it under wraps until the announcement.
“Gaspar, 55, has represented Alagoas in the lower house since 2023 and led a congressional probe into the INSS, giving him authority on a sensitive issue for Lula. A Quaest poll shows Lula leading Bolsonaro 44% to 39% in a simulated run-off.”
