Senator Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos-MG) asked party leadership to let him run for governor of Minas Gerais during a national convention on Tuesday [1].

This reversal comes after the senator had announced his withdrawal from the race only the day before. The sudden shift in position highlights internal volatility within the Republicanos party as it finalizes its candidate slate for the upcoming elections.

The request occurred on Aug. 4 [1] during the party's national convention. According to reports, the time elapsed between the senator's initial withdrawal video and his new request to run was less than 24 hours [2].

Azevedo said he was motivated by a conversation with his mother and a desire to strengthen public security and combat corruption [3]. During the convention, he addressed the party leadership directly. "I ask President Marcos Pereira to authorize me to compete for the government of Minas Gerais," Azevedo said [4]. He said, "I will not disappoint the party" [5].

Party leadership rejected the request. Marcos Pereira, the president of Republicanos, described the candidacy as a "página virada" — a turned page — and said that the position would not be reopened [6]. Pereira criticized the senator's consistency regarding the bid. "He never took leadership of his own candidacy," Pereira said [7].

While Azevedo publicly appealed for the opportunity to run, subsequent reports indicate he receded again following the party's firm refusal [6]. Pereira said that Azevedo will not dispute the governorship of Minas Gerais [6].

“I ask President Marcos Pereira to authorize me to compete for the government of Minas Gerais.”

The rejection of Senator Azevedo's bid signals a move by the Republicanos party to prioritize stability and predictability over the individual ambitions of high-profile members. By labeling the candidacy a 'turned page,' the party leadership is attempting to prevent further public flip-flops that could weaken their strategic positioning in Minas Gerais, one of Brazil's most influential electoral districts.