PT party nominates Patrus Ananias for Minas Gerais governor in 2026 elections
The Workers' Party (PT) has officially nominated federal deputy Patrus Ananias as its candidate for governor of Minas Gerais in the 2026 elections. The announcement was made on Friday, August 31st, during a joint convention in Belo Horizonte, which also included the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB) and the Green Party (PV). Ananias, a former mayor of Belo Horizonte and ex-Minister of Social Development, was not present at the convention due to a medical appointment. The PT's state chair, deputy Leninha, confirmed his absence was for a doctor's visit. The vice-governor candidate for the ticket has not yet been announced, with ongoing discussions among the coalition partners to finalize the alliance's composition. For the Senate race, the federation confirmed Marília Campos, a psychologist and former mayor of Contagem, as its candidate. Campos, who served four terms as mayor before resigning in March 2026 to run for Senate, is a prominent PT leader in Minas Gerais. Ananias, a 74-year-old lawyer and professor, previously served as mayor of Belo Horizonte from 1993 to 1996, as a federal deputy, and as Minister of Social Development under Presidents Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff. He also held the position of Minister of Agrarian Development in 2015. This marks his second attempt to win the governorship of Minas Gerais. The deadline for party conventions is August 5th, with candidate registrations due to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) by August 15th, and the official campaign commencing the following day.
The nomination of Patrus Ananias, a seasoned politician with extensive experience in municipal, state, and federal government, signals the PT's strategy to leverage established figures in its bid for the Minas Gerais governorship. The party's alliance with PCdoB and PV suggests a broader effort to consolidate progressive forces. The delayed announcement of the vice-governor and the ongoing coalition talks highlight the complexities of political maneuvering and the importance of securing broad support. As the election cycle progresses, the effectiveness of this coalition and Ananias's appeal will be tested against the evolving political landscape and voter priorities in Minas Gerais. The inclusion of a former mayor of Contagem, Marília Campos, for the Senate further underscores the PT's focus on strengthening its representation and influence within the state's political structure.
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