Fernando Haddad (PT) officially launched his campaign for the governorship of São Paulo during a rally in the Grande ABC region.
The bid represents a strategic effort by the Workers' Party to reclaim the state's executive branch by leveraging the popularity of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and opposing the privatization of state assets.
The event took place at Estádio 1º de Maio in São Bernardo do Campo [3]. While reports on the exact timing vary, sources said the launch occurred between July 16 [1] and July 25, 2026 [2].
During the event, Haddad delivered a speech that focused on the leadership of President Lula. He used the platform to denounce the privatization of public services, a central pillar of his campaign platform.
To strengthen his reach beyond the urban centers, Haddad is relying on a combination of Lula's endorsement and the support of former governors to bolster his standing in the interior of the state [2].
Although some summaries mentioned the Palácio dos Bandeirantes as a starting point, primary reporting said the rally was held at the stadium in São Bernardo do Campo [3]. The location is significant as the ABC region has historically served as a stronghold for the Workers' Party and its labor movement roots.
“Fernando Haddad (PT) officially launched his campaign for the governorship of São Paulo”
Haddad's campaign strategy signals a return to traditional PT ideological roots by centering the platform on anti-privatization. By anchoring his candidacy to President Lula's image and targeting the industrial heartland of São Bernardo do Campo, Haddad is attempting to consolidate the leftist vote while using established political figures to penetrate the more conservative interior of Brazil's most populous state.
