Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) is adjusting his campaign strategy to recover centrist and right-of-center voters following a shift in polling data [1].

This pivot is critical as the candidate attempts to stabilize his electoral base in Rio de Janeiro and across Brazil. The move comes as the campaign navigates the political damage caused by the leaked “Dark Horse” conversations, which have negatively impacted his standing with moderate voters [2].

To counter these losses, the campaign is planning to utilize a documentary titled “Colisão dos Destinos,” which focuses on former president Jair Bolsonaro [3]. Campaign officials said the film will reinforce the senator's electoral appeal by linking his image more closely to the legacy of his father [3].

The struggle to secure a broad coalition is not new for the senator. Waack said that when the senator was anointed as a candidate by his own father, he initially faced considerable reluctance from other center-right political groups to endorse his name [1].

According to reports, the campaign is specifically analyzing the impact of the “Dark Horse” leaks to determine how to best communicate with the centrist demographic [2]. An AtlasIntel poll released Tuesday, Nov. 19, highlighted the volatility of these voter groups [2].

Sóstenes said the documentary "Colisão dos Destinos" should be used to reinforce the electoral campaign of the senator and son of the former president [3]. This strategic use of media is intended to bridge the gap between the hard-right base and the more moderate voters needed for a victory in the current electoral cycle [1, 2].

“The campaign is targeting to recover centrist/right‑of‑center voters after a poll swing.”

The shift in strategy indicates that Flávio Bolsonaro cannot rely solely on the core Bolsonaro loyalists to win. By targeting centrist voters and using a documentary to polish his image, the campaign is attempting to transition from a niche ideological candidacy to a broader appeal, while simultaneously performing damage control on the 'Dark Horse' leaks to prevent a permanent exodus of moderate supporters.