PL Ceará Chief André Fernandes Backs Ciro Gomes for Governor

Overview

• Fernandes, who leads the Liberal Party in Ceará, announced in a video on Thursday that he will support PSDB’s Ciro Gomes and attend the pre-candidacy launch set for Saturday, May 16, in Conjunto Ceará.
• He said the choice aims to end PT control in the state and acknowledged past clashes with Ciro, arguing that defeating the current governing bloc outweighs ideological differences.
• The move defies a December 2, 2025 decision by PL’s national leadership to freeze talks after Michelle Bolsonaro criticized any deal with Ciro and publicly rebuked Fernandes’ outreach.
• Alcides Fernandes, a state lawmaker and André’s father, posted photos with Ciro and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and wrote that the “team is set,” while coverage suggested a right-leaning slate that could include Senate and vice spots tied to União Brasil figures.
• Recent Genial/Quaest polling from late April reported Camilo Santana of the PT at 40% and Ciro at 33% in a first-round test, which makes the new backing and any broader alliance potentially decisive in a close contest.