Full Breakdown
Bolsonaro Sons Mobilize Southern Brazil in Bid for Power
By Drooid · · How we work
The Bolsonaro Family’s Southern Campaign
Former president Jair Bolsonaro, sentenced to 27 years in prison and barred from campaigning, is still a central figure in the election push of his three sons. Flavio Bolsonaro, the Liberal Party’s presidential nominee, is polling neck-and-neck with incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. In Santa Catarina, Flavio shares the stage with his brother Carlos Bolsonaro, 43, who is contesting a Senate seat for the first time, and his younger sibling Jair Renan Bolsonaro, a city councillor with a record vote count, who is campaigning for a state council seat.
Political Landscape of Santa Catarina
Santa Catarina is one of Brazil’s most pro-Bolsonaro southern states; nearly 70 percent of voters supported Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 presidential election. The region’s electorate is dominated by large agribusiness estates that identify with conservative values, a strong belief in God, and opposition to left-wing social policies.
Candidates and Their Roles
- Flavio Bolsonaro – Liberal Party presidential candidate, relying on his father’s legacy to rally voters.
- Carlos Bolsonaro – Senate candidate, accompanied by running mate Carol de Toni, who frames the campaign as a “godsend” for the state’s safety.
- Jair Renan Bolsonaro – Young councillor elected with a record vote total, positioning himself as the “best candidate” for the state’s youth.
Campaign Strategy and Voter Outreach
Political scientist Joao Feres of the State University of Rio de Janeiro notes that the family “banks on a national brand” to compensate for limited local roots. Journalist Felipe Pereira observes that the campaign deliberately keeps the candidates’ schedules undisclosed, directing supporters to social-media channels rather than mainstream outlets. In practice, supporters receive messages through family and work WhatsApp groups, and TikTok videos criticizing President Lula, the Supreme Court, and environmental policies spread rapidly.
Implications for Bolsonarism
Analysts argue that the Bolsonaro brand remains a potent electoral force, yet the reliance on name recognition raises questions about the movement’s durability without Jair Bolsonaro’s direct participation. As the election approaches, the southern campaign tests whether “Bolsonarism” can sustain itself through the sons’ candidacies or will remain tethered to the former president’s shadow.