Cleitinho insists he is a candidate for governor of Minas Gerais and will try to convince Marcos Pereira

Senator Cleitinho Azevedo has reiterated his intention to run for governor of Minas Gerais, a move that contradicts the official position of his Republicanos party. Azevedo announced his determination during a press conference held via social media in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais.

He stated his plan to meet with Marcos Pereira, the president of the Republicanos party, to convince him to endorse his gubernatorial bid. Azevedo expressed his hope to "touch the heart" of the party leader, emphasizing that without the party's approval, his candidacy would be impossible due to current electoral laws preventing party switching.

Azevedo also explained his absence from the party's state convention, attributing it to the recent death of his younger brother. "I wasn't in the right state of mind. How could I launch a candidacy in mourning?" he asked.

Earlier, the Republicanos party had issued a statement indicating they had structured a project to support the senator's potential candidacy, suggesting strategic decisions were postponed to preserve its viability. However, the party also placed responsibility on Azevedo for the uncertainty surrounding his candidacy, stating he had not officially declared his intention to run for the Palácio Tiradentes, the seat of the state government.

This assertion follows a video Azevedo posted on Instagram, signaling his decision to enter the race for Minas Gerais governor, Brazil's second-largest electoral college. The AI-generated video featured the senator with his brother and father, with a caption indicating his commitment: "I will continue the mission."