To understand each elected office, it is essential to look at Brazil’s Three Powers: the Executive Branch administers and governs, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, state governors (like Tarcísio de Freitas), and mayors; the Legislative Branch creates laws and oversees spending, represented by figures like Senate President Davi Alcolumbre, representatives, and councilors; and the Judicial Branch interprets laws, represented by judges and Supreme Court (STF) justices such as Luís Roberto Barroso and Alexandre de Moraes.
In Brazilian elections, offices are divided between the Executive and Legislative branches, and the electoral system alternates between municipal and general elections every two years, such as this year’s general elections. Municipal elections take place to elect mayors and city councilors, and these local leaders use their trust and influence in their cities to rally support for their allied governors, congress members, and presidential candidates in the general elections.
The state governor
The Governor heads the state’s Executive Branch for a four-year term, taking charge of essential public services: public safety (commanding the military and civil police forces and the fire department), education (managing state public schools and educational programs), and healthcare (administering state hospitals and public health initiatives). Responsibilities also extend to infrastructure management and administration, which include overseeing the construction and maintenance of public transportation, defining budget allocation and managing public spending, appointing state secretaries, and reviewing bill proposals passed by state representatives.
In São Paulo, incumbent Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos) runs for reelection, focusing on state infrastructure expansion, public-private partnerships, and administrative efficiency, against the Minister of Finance Fernando Haddad (PT), whose campaign centers on expanding public health services and boosting education funding. In Rio de Janeiro, the race features former Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes (PSD), former Governor Anthony Garotinho (Republicanos), and Alerj President Douglas Ruas (PL).
The state representatives
State Representatives serve in the State Legislative Assembly for four years. They are responsible for addressing issues of interest to social groups or regions closer to citizens, overseeing state finances, demanding solutions from public entities, such as the State Department of Health, the Police, or state-run companies like water and sanitation utilities, and proposing and reviewing new bills and state constitutional amendments. They also have the power to investigate problems in government agencies, for example, by setting up legislative inquiry committees (CPIs) to investigate issues like missing health department funds or overpriced public contracts.
In São Paulo, leading candidates include Andre do Prado (PL), serving as ALESP President with a platform centered on municipal infrastructure and health investments; Carlos Giannazi (PSOL), prioritizing public education funding and civil service protections; and Gil Diniz (PL), advocating for public security enforcement and conservative social values.
The federal representatives
Federal Representatives serve in the National Congress in Brasília, totaling 513 members, with each state having between 8 and 70 representatives depending on its population size. Over their four-year term, they are responsible for creating and approving proposed laws, such as the recently enacted Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents, which established new digital safety and privacy rules for minors online, Provisional Measures sent by the president, monitoring public spending (by auditing government accounts with the Federal Court of Accounts, requesting financial reports from ministries, and setting up CPIs), approving the national annual budget, launching investigations to probe severe allegations, and holding the sole authority to authorize the opening of impeachment proceedings against the president.
Prominent contenders running for or seeking reelection to Congress include Erika Hilton (PSOL), focusing on social equity and public housing; Ricardo Salles (NOVO), advocating for private property rights and agribusiness growth; and Adriana Ventura (NOVO), targeting federal spending control and education reform.
THE SENATORS
Senators, in eight-year terms, are responsible for reviewing and voting on laws passed by the Chamber of Deputies, proposing new federal legislation, and holding exclusive powers, such as approving presidential appointments for judges, ambassadors, and Central Bank directors, as well as conducting impeachment trials for high-ranking officials.
In São Paulo, high-profile contenders include former ministers Guilherme Derrite (PP) and Ricardo Salles (Novo), alongside former presidential candidates Simone Tebet (PSB) and Marina Silva (Rede). Candidates from conservative slates prioritize economic deregulation, judicial accountability, and public security enforcement, whereas progressive slates center their platforms on environmental preservation, social welfare programs, and sustainable infrastructure funding.
The president of the republic
The President of the Republic is the chief authority of the Executive Branch. Serving a four-year term, the president holds two main functions: Head of State (representing Brazil internationally) and Head of Government (managing domestic policy and federal administration). Furthermore, the president serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, holding top military command over the Army, Navy, and Air Force, appointing service commanders, promoting high-ranking officers, and can issue decrees for national defense, state of siege, or federal intervention.
The president is also responsible for drafting and submitting bills to Congress on matters of federal interest, such as establishing public universities, administrative positions, or ministries, proposing economic or social reforms subject to approval by representatives and senators, and vetoing laws passed by Congress.
In the presidential race, recent polling places show President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, seeking reelection, and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro as the top two candidates. Alongside them, Goiás Governor Ronaldo Caiado, former Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema, and author Augusto Cury are some of the other candidates competing for the top office.
Understanding how the electoral system works is the first step toward tracking and holding elected officials accountable, and being informed remains the best tool for making a responsible choice.
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The article below was edited by Eloá Costa.
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