Datafolha poll: Benedita da Silva leads Rio Senate race; six tied for second spot

Federal Deputy Benedita da Silva (PT-RJ) is currently leading the race for a Senate seat in Rio de Janeiro, according to the latest Datafolha poll. The former senator has garnered 15% of voter intentions, positioning her as the frontrunner for one of the two available seats.

The poll reveals a tight contest for the second Senate position, with six candidates in a technical tie. Deputies Carlos Jordy (PL) and Carlos Portinho (PL) are each polling at 8%. Close behind them are Marcelo Crivella (Republicanos), Pedro Paulo (PSD), and councilwoman Mônica Benínico (PSOL), all with 6% of the vote. Waguinho (Republicanos), the former mayor of Belford Roxo, received 3% of intentions, placing him in a statistical tie with Jordy and Portinho due to the margin of error.

Datafolha's survey, conducted between Tuesday (18) and Friday (21), heard from 1,204 voters. The poll, registered with the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) under number RJ-02945/2026, has a margin of error of three percentage points in either direction. This marks the first Datafolha poll on the electoral landscape of Rio de Janeiro for the upcoming elections.

Beyond the leading candidates, other figures are trailing. Military police officer André Monteiro (Democrata), recently announced as a vice-governor candidate, along with Marcos Dias (Podemos) and Michelly Xavier (UP), each received 2% of the vote. Former Prosecutor General Luciano Mattos (PRTB), Paula Falcão (PSTU), Helio Secco (Missão), Vinicius Benevides (UP), and Luiz Eugênio (PCO) garnered 1% each. Candidate Ó Clemente (Democrata) was mentioned but did not reach 1% support.

Interestingly, nearly a quarter of those surveyed, 23%, stated they intend to cast an invalid vote, either null or blank. An additional 12% of respondents remain undecided about their choices.