2022 Race

After aiming for the presidency, Eduardo Leite returns to his home state

Foto: José Cruz/Agência Brasil
Former Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite. Photo: José Cruz/Agência Brasil

Former Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite failed at every turn in his attempt to run for president in October’s election. First, he lost the primaries of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), then fell short in his push to dethrone the party’s nominee, former São Paulo Governor João Doria. 

Mr. Leite appears to have capitulated and will instead focus on the race for succession — either by sponsoring another candidate to run in Rio Grande do Sul, or by standing himself, despite having promised not to do so in 2018.

The 37-year-old published a letter acknowledging Mr. Doria’s right to represent the PSDB and will no longer interfere with the national race. 

Mr. Leite failed to make the so-called “third way” between President Jair Bolsonaro and former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva appealing to voters — and will have a similar problem within his home state. The current frontrunners for the Rio Grande do Sul governor’s race are either linked to Lula or Mr. Bolsonaro. 

Incumbent Ranolfo Vieira Junior, Mr. Leite’s former lieutenant, is faring poorly in polls.