2026 Federal District general election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 Federal District general election will be held on 4 October 2026 in the Federal District of Brazil. Voters will elect a governor and vice governor, two senators, eight representatives for the Chamber of Deputies, and 24 members of the Legislative Chamber of the Federal District.[1][2] If no gubernatorial candidate receives a majority of the valid votes in the first round, a runoff election will be held on 25 October.[3]
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Gubernatorial election | |||
4 October 2026 (first round)
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Senatorial election | |||
4 October 2026 (one-only round)
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Chamber of Deputies election | |||
4 October 2026 (one-only round)
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Legislative Chamber election | |||
4 October 2026 (one-only round)
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Background
Electoral calendar
Note: This section only presents the main dates of the 2026 electoral calendar. For detailed information, see official guidance from the Brazilian electoral courts and the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE).
| Electoral calendar | |
|---|---|
| 15 May | Start of crowdfunding of candidates[4] |
| 20 July to 5 August | Party conventions for choosing candidates and coalitions[5] |
| 16 August | Start of electoral campaigning and street/digital advertising[6] |
| 4 October | First round of 2026 elections[6] |
| 25 October | Possible second round of 2026 elections[6] |
| until 19 December | Delivery of electoral diplomas for those elected in the 2026 elections by the Brazilian Election Justice[7] |
Governor
Incumbent governor Ibaneis Rocha of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) was re-elected in 2022 in the first round with 50.27% of the valid vote, defeating Leandro Grass (26.27%) and other candidates.[8] As he is ineligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms, the 2026 election is expected to be for an open seat.[9]
Senator
Senators in Brazil serve eight-year terms, and in 2026 each electorate will choose two senators.[10] In the Federal District, the seats currently held by Izalci Lucas (PL) and Leila Barros (PDT), both serving 2019–2027, are scheduled to be contested in 2026.[11]
Opinion polls
Governor
In early 2026 polling, vice governor Celina Leão and former governor José Roberto Arruda were among the names tested in first-round scenarios, alongside opposition figures such as Leandro Grass.[12]
Senatorial
Polling has also tested potential 2026 Senate slates in the Federal District, including scenarios featuring governor Ibaneis Rocha as a prospective candidate.[13]
Gubernatorial candidates
Declared candidates
- Ricardo Cappelli, president of the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI) and former federal interventor for public security in the Federal District (2023), launched by the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) as its prospective 2026 nominee.[14]
- José Roberto Arruda, former governor of the Federal District (2007–2009), who has sought to organize a 2026 run and joined the Social Democratic Party (PSD).[15]
- Leandro Grass, president of the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) and runner-up in the 2022 gubernatorial election, who has been discussed within the PT-led field as a prospective 2026 candidate.[16]
Expressed interest
- Celina Leão, vice governor of the Federal District (2023–present), has been widely cited as the preferred succession name within the incumbent governing group and has appeared in early polling scenarios.[17]
Ineligible
- Ibaneis Rocha, incumbent governor (2019–present), is ineligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.[18]
Senatorial candidates
Declared candidates
- Ibaneis Rocha, governor of the Federal District (2019–present), has been cited in reporting and polling as a prospective candidate for one of the two Senate seats.[19]
Possible candidates
- Izalci Lucas, incumbent senator for the Federal District (2019–2027).[20]
- Leila Barros, incumbent senator for the Federal District (2019–2027).[21]