Diverging paths: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro show contrasting election results   

Brasil de Fato

São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro—the two largest cities in Brazil—experienced opposite scenarios during the first round of the 2024 municipal elections, which started on Sunday (6).    

São Paulo, the largest city in Latin America with the highest state GDP in the country, approximately BRL 3.218 trillion (over US$643 billion), well-known for being a significant financial and industrial center, must wait until October 27 to know you will be its the next mayor.    

The current mayor Ricardo Nunes and the left-wing candidate supported by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers’ Party) Guilherme Boulos, finished the first voting round in a technical tie with 29.48% and 29.07% respectively. Boulos emerged ahead in the polls for the first time on Friday (4), while the candidate for reelection, Nunes, has been ahead in the polls since August.  

Rio de Janeiro, on the other hand, with the second highest GDP, which grew by 3.8% in 2023 to around BRL 984 billion (approximately US$196 billion) driven by tourism, industry and the service sector, showed a result that was not a surprise: the reelection of center candidate Eduardo Paes, also backed by Presidente Lula, that won with ease the first round in the city with 60.47% against Alexandre Ramagem who had 30.81% of the votes. This is the fourth time Paes will be mayor. He also managed the municipality from 2009 to 2012, 2013 to 2016, and his current term, 2021 to 2024.  

Residents of São Paulo will head back to the polls on October 27 for the second and final round of voting. Brasil de Fato will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of all election events.