Cleitinho Azevedo Leads Minas Gerais Governor Election Polls, Candidate Status Unconfirmed

Senator Cleitinho Azevedo is currently leading in simulated first and second-round elections for the governor of Minas Gerais, according to a new Quaest poll released Tuesday. Azevedo, a senator for Republicans, has not yet confirmed if he will run for governor. His potential candidacy has become a key point of uncertainty in the campaign of Flávio Bolsonaro, who is awaiting the senator's decision. The poll, commissioned by Banco Genial and registered with the TSE, surveyed 1,482 voters from July 22 to 26. It shows Azevedo leading in three different scenarios. In the broadest scenario, featuring 11 competitors, Azevedo garnered 35% of voter intentions. Former Belo Horizonte mayor Alexandre Kalil (PDT) followed with 12%, technically tied with Patrus Ananias (PT), who received 10% of the vote. Current Governor Mateus Simões (PSD), supported by former governor Romeu Zema (Novo), registered 6% in this simulation. In second-round simulations, Azevedo also maintains a lead. Against Kalil, the senator secured 44% of the vote compared to the former mayor's 29%. Against Patrus, Azevedo led 46% to 31%, and against Simões, he held a 46% to 15% advantage. Without Azevedo in the running, simulations show Simões and Kalil in a technical tie, with 30% and 29% respectively. Kalil also faces the highest rejection rate among the tested candidates, with 39% of respondents stating they would not vote for him. Patrus has a 35% rejection rate, while Cleitinho's is 20% and Simões's is 12%. A majority of voters (58%) reported not knowing the candidate supported by the current governor.