Ceará Governor Candidate Ciro Gomes Rejects Tie to Flávio Bolsonaro Amid Alliance Talks

Ciro Gomes, the PSDB's pre-candidate for governor of Ceará, is actively distancing himself from Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Gomes has told allies he wants no association with the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, according to sources within the tucano campaign. Gomes reportedly lacks direct communication with Flávio Bolsonaro and is awaiting his party's decision on a potential coalition with the Liberal Party (PL).

Flávio Bolsonaro is scheduled to attend an event in Fortaleza to formalize Alcides Fernandes, father of state PL president André Fernandes, as a pre-candidate for the Senate. André Fernandes is a key figure in brokering the alliance between the PL and PSDB in Ceará. Gomes is currently in São Paulo and will not attend the event.

Gomes's camp suggests the Workers' Party (PT) is attempting to undermine his campaign by linking him to Flávio Bolsonaro. They believe such an association could damage Gomes's image, particularly following reports of Flávio Bolsonaro's connection to Daniel Vorcaro. The PL is pursuing an alliance with the PSDB in Ceará, a state currently led by PT governor Elmano de Freitas, who is seeking re-election.

This potential alliance has caused friction within the Bolsonaro family. Michelle Bolsonaro released a video criticizing her stepson over the proposed coalition with the PSDB for the first round of elections. She advocated for local councilwoman Priscila Costa (PL-CE) for the Senate, a choice she personally favored. Costa will not attend Flávio Bolsonaro's event in Fortaleza, though he recorded a video with her to explain her absence. Costa has traveled to Portugal for a conservative women's conference.