Senator Cleitinho Vows to Fight for Minas Gerais Governor Candidacy Despite Party Opposition

Senator Cleitinho Azevedo has declared his unwavering intention to convince his party, Republicanos, to let him compete for the governorship of Minas Gerais, despite the party's recent announcement that it would not field him as a candidate. Azevedo stated he will "try every way" to persuade the national president of Republicanos, federal deputy Marcos Pereira, to reverse the decision.

The senator explained his previous hesitation to confirm his candidacy was due to a period of mourning for his younger brother, Matheus Augusto Azevedo, who died of leukemia at 34. "I told my family: as long as Matheus is not well, I will not launch my candidacy. I am still mourning," Cleitinho stated. He called a press conference in his hometown of Divinópolis to react to the party's decision, which followed months of indecision and perceived wavering from the senator.

Republicanos issued a statement indicating that Cleitinho had not matched the party's enthusiasm for his candidacy and cited his continued uncertainty. The party emphasized that "a candidacy requires, above all, the firm decision of whoever intends to run for it." The statement concluded, "Such a decision never happened. [...] The facts speak for themselves. The party was ready. However, the candidacy was never formally assumed by the one who should lead it." The party is now leaning towards supporting former deputy Marcelo Aro for the governorship. Cleitinho did not attend the Republicanos convention in Minas Gerais, which coincided with the seventh-day mass for his brother.

Despite the party's stance, Cleitinho appears to be gaining momentum. He recently informed allies of his decision to run and discussed it with leaders from the PL party and his brother, state deputy Eduardo Azevedo. Furthermore, Cleitinho leads the gubernatorial polls in Minas Gerais. A recent Quaest survey showed him with 35% of first-round voter intention, 23 points ahead of the second-place candidate, former Belo Horizonte mayor Alexandre Kalil.