Carlos Bolsonaro challenges Lula for presidency as brothers seek Senate seats

Carlos Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, is now level with incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in national polls as he prepares to launch his own presidential bid, while his brothers Carlos Eduardo and Jair Renan line up for Senate and legislative seats in the southern state of Santa Catarina. The three brothers are campaigning together, banking on the Bolsonaro name to win votes in a region that has consistently backed the family’s right‑wing agenda.

The surge comes as Brazil heads toward a tightly contested election cycle that could reshape the country’s political balance. The Bolsonaro family has built a nationwide brand since Jair Bolsonaro’s 2018 victory, and his children have been groomed for public office. Flavio Bolsonaro, the former president’s second son, is already a senator, and his siblings are now stepping into the spotlight. In Santa Catarina, a state that delivered a landslide win for Jair Bolsonaro in 2018, the surname alone carries weight. Recent surveys show Carlos Bolsonaro polling at about 31 percent, just a point ahead of Lula’s 30 percent, while his brothers enjoy double‑digit leads in their respective races. Political analysts say the family’s coordinated push reflects a strategy to cement a dynastic presence in both the executive and legislative branches.

Opposition leaders warn that the Bolsonaro clan’s dominance threatens democratic renewal. Lula’s camp has dismissed the family’s appeal as a “brand‑driven” gimmick that masks policy shortcomings. Meanwhile, civil society groups in Santa Catarina have organized rallies urging voters to look beyond name recognition. As the campaign season intensifies, the Bolsonaro brothers will travel across the state, holding rallies and meeting local leaders. Their performance will be a litmus test for whether a national brand can overcome growing public fatigue with polarising politics. The outcome will shape Brazil’s direction for years, influencing everything from economic policy to environmental regulation.