PL Nominates Carlos Bolsonaro and Carol De Toni for Senate in Santa Catarina
The Liberal Party (PL) has officially nominated Carlos Bolsonaro and Carol De Toni as its candidates for the Senate representing Santa Catarina. The decision was finalized during a party convention held on Saturday, June 1st, near Florianópolis. Carlos Bolsonaro, 43, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, announced his relocation to Santa Catarina at the end of 2025, following seven terms as a councilman in Rio de Janeiro. Carol De Toni, 39, a federal deputy elected in 2022 with the highest vote count in the state, is an attorney and a prominent figure in the conservative right, having built her political career in western Santa Catarina. Both candidates are part of the coalition supporting Jorginho Mello's (PL) bid for reelection as governor. The coalition includes the PL, Novo, Podemos, Republicanos, Democracia Cristã (DC), and the PSDB/Cidadania Federation. Carlos Bolsonaro, often referred to as '02', was the youngest councilman in Brazil at 17 and served for seven terms before moving his electoral domicile. He gained national prominence through his role in his father's presidential campaign, particularly on social media. Carol De Toni, a federal deputy, also served as vice-leader of the Bolsonaro government and was elected president of the Chamber of Deputies' Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) in 2024. The convention season, where parties select their candidates, runs until August 5th, with candidate registrations due by August 15th to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).
The Liberal Party's strategic nomination of Carlos Bolsonaro and Carol De Toni for the Senate in Santa Catarina signals a concerted effort to leverage established political figures and their respective bases within a key state. Carlos Bolsonaro's move from Rio de Janeiro to Santa Catarina, coupled with De Toni's strong electoral performance and leadership roles, suggests a strategy to consolidate conservative support. This pairing aims to amplify the party's presence and influence in the region, potentially impacting the broader political landscape leading up to the elections. The nominations reflect a broader trend of political parties focusing on candidates with strong name recognition and established networks to navigate complex electoral dynamics and secure electoral gains.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.