One of the largest Bolsonarist strongholds in Santa Catarina, Balneário Camboriú It’s about to be the scene of a fierce dispute between the former president’s allies. The city, which gave 74.6% of the votes to Jair Bolsonaro in the second round of the 2022 election, will be the stage for the electoral debut of Jair Renan, the former president’s son Zero Quatro, who will seek a seat as councilor in the City Council .
While welcoming the candidate with a famous surname with celebration, however, the PL faces an internal struggle to define who will be the name to run for mayor of the city. Currently occupied by Fabrício Oliveirawho is from the PL but is in his second term and cannot be re-elected, the seat is being sought by his supporters Carlos Humbertostate deputy and government leader in the Legislative Assembly (Alesc), and by businessman Peeter Lee Grando.
Until the end of March, Bolsonaro’s support for a candidate was uncertain, although Carlos Humberto had already placed himself as a pre-candidate for the party. Visiting Balneário Camboriú during the Easter holiday, however, the former president, accompanied by Fabrício Oliveira and the governor Jorginho Mello (PL), who is also the state president of the party, participated in closed-door meetings with businesspeople from the region. It was decided: the name supported by the chiefs would be the one indicated by the mayor, who has close relations with the Santa Catarina business community. In recent weeks, the current mayor ended up taking the hammer for former partner and radio host Peeter Lee Grando.
The scenario became even more delicate for Carlos Humberto after Bolsonaro’s last visit to Balneário, last week. In a move to seal his support for Fabrício’s successor, the former president participated in several events alongside Grando, Fabrício and Jorginho.
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Although expected, the movement did not please the “opponent” Carlos Humberto, who has the support of part of the party’s bench in Alesc and parliamentarians such as the federal deputy Julia Zanatta (PL-SC). Last Monday, the 29th, the parliamentarian “officialized” his pre-candidacy for the Mayor of Balneário Camboriú. “Through my experience in City Hall and the Legislative Assembly, I am committed to working tirelessly to bring progress, development and well-being to our city,” he published.
According to allies, Humberto is not inclined to withdraw his pre-candidacy and has even informed Governor Jorginho Mello that he is willing to run in the pre-candidacy with Lee Grando.
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Right stronghold
Jair Renan handpicked the place where he would launch his political career and which could give him the impetus for greater flights, such as competing for a seat in the Chamber of Deputies, in 2026. Balneário Camboriú, with almost 140,000 inhabitants, known as the “ Brazilian Dubai” due to its high socioeconomic levels, skyscrapers and luxury developments, is a stronghold of conservatism. In July, the city will host CPAC Brasil, the main right-wing conference in the country, promoted by the Conservative-Liberal Institute, led by Eduardo Bolsonaro.
But, at least for now, Zero Quatro hasn’t found the environment among friends that he expected.
