Avante Party Nominates David Almeida for Governor of Amazonas

The Avante party has officially nominated David Almeida as its candidate for the governorship of Amazonas during a convention held on Thursday, August 23rd, in Manaus. Almeida, a former mayor of Manaus, is making his second bid for the state's top executive office. He has a significant political history in the region, having served three consecutive terms as a state representative from 2006 to 2014. In 2017, he briefly served as interim governor for three months following the impeachment of Governor José Melo. Shádia Fraxe was also approved as the vice-governor candidate for Avante. Almeida stated his campaign focus will be on improving education and developing the interior of Amazonas through economic and ecological zoning, highlighting past successes in Manaus. He criticized current leadership for the state's lack of potable water in 38 municipalities. Avante will form a coalition with the PDT, Agir, and Democracia Cristã parties for the upcoming elections. The election calendar mandates that conventions conclude by August 5th, with candidate registrations due by August 15th, and the official campaign starting the following day. Almeida's political career began in 2006, and he later served as President of the Legislative Assembly of Amazonas from 2017 to 2018. He was elected mayor of Manaus in 2020 and re-elected in 2024. Despite his electoral successes, Almeida is currently facing seven criminal investigations by the Amazonas Court of Justice, including allegations of corruption, bid rigging, and nepotism. These investigations reportedly involve suspicious expenditures and payments to his mother-in-law. Furthermore, the Federal Police have requested to question Almeida regarding alleged vote-buying during the 2024 municipal elections, with a preliminary inquiry suggesting organized efforts involving religious leaders to secure his re-election.