Datafolha Poll: Governor Simões's Administration in Minas Gerais Receives 23% Positive Rating, 15% Negative

A recent Datafolha poll reveals that 23% of voters in Minas Gerais, Brazil, approve of Governor Mateus Simões's administration. Conversely, 15% expressed negative opinions, and 37% described the management as regular. The survey, conducted from August 18 to 20, involved 1,204 voters and has a maximum margin of error of three percentage points with a 95% confidence interval.

Simões assumed the governorship in March after Romeu Zema, the elected vice-governor, stepped down to pursue a presidential candidacy. This poll marks the first Datafolha survey since the official start of the election campaign and the conclusion of candidate registration processes. Simões, who has been in office for five months with Zema's backing, is now running for election himself.

The Datafolha poll also directly asked voters about their approval of Simões's management. Forty-one percent of respondents indicated approval, compared to 32% who disapproved, with 27% unable to answer. In terms of voting intentions for the gubernatorial race, the incumbent Simões currently holds 4% support, trailing behind frontrunner Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos) who garnered 32%. Other candidates include former Belo Horizonte mayor Alexandre Kalil (PDT) and federal deputy Patrus Ananias (PT).

The survey, registered under code MG-00446/2026, was commissioned by Folha and TV Globo. It was conducted through in-person interviews at population flow points across the state. The findings provide an early snapshot of voter sentiment towards the new governor as the campaign intensifies.