Daniel Vilela Leads Goiás Gubernatorial Race; Tight Contest in Rio Grande do Sul
Polls show Daniel Vilela leading Goiás race decisively, while Rio Grande do Sul features a close contest between Juliana Brizola and Luciano Zucco.
- • Daniel Vilela leads Goiás governor race with 33-34% support and strong second-round projections.
- • Marconi Perillo trails in Goiás with 21% support and the highest rejection rate of 50%.
- • In Rio Grande do Sul, Juliana Brizola and Luciano Zucco are in a technical tie, with 24% and 21%, respectively.
- • Significant undecided voter percentages: 15-16% in Goiás, 34% in Rio Grande do Sul.
- • Ronaldo Caiado's government in Goiás enjoys 84% approval amid the election cycle.
Key details
Recent polling data reveals distinct dynamics in the gubernatorial races in Goiás and Rio Grande do Sul for the 2026 elections. In Goiás, Daniel Vilela from the MDB is leading all first-round scenarios with 33% to 34% voter support, according to a Genial/Quaest survey. Former governor Marconi Perillo (PSDB) follows with 21%, while Adriana Costa (PT) and Senator Wilder Morais (PL) have 10% and around 9-11%, respectively. Indecision remains considerable, with 15% to 16% undecided and between 12% to 16% potentially voting blank or null.
In second-round simulations, Vilela holds a strong advantage over both Perillo (46% to 27%) and Morais (51% to 21%). The survey also shows Vilela’s relatively low rejection rate at 19%, compared to Perillo’s 50%. Vilela assumed the governorship in March after Ronaldo Caiado left to run for president, with Caiado’s administration maintaining a high 84% approval rating. In the Senate race, Gracinha Caiado leads with 22% support.
In Rio Grande do Sul, the race is more competitive. Juliana Brizola (PDT) and Luciano Zucco (PL) are in a technical tie, with Brizola at 24% and Zucco closely behind at 21% in first-round polling. Gabriel Souza (MDB), Marcelo Maranata (PSDB), and Rejane Oliveira (PSTU) follow with 6%, 2%, and 1%, respectively. Notably, 34% of voters remain undecided while 12% plan to vote blank or null. Second-round matchups suggest Brizola would defeat both Zucco (35% to 27%) and Souza (35% to 17%), though Zucco could beat Souza (28% to 20%).
Both surveys were conducted with 1,104 interviews between April 24 and 28, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points and a 95% confidence level, registered under respective electoral protocols.
These polls set an early framework for the 2026 gubernatorial contests, depicting Vilela as a frontrunner in Goiás amid strong governmental approval, contrasted by a tighter, uncertain fight in Rio Grande do Sul with a significant portion of undecided voters.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
