Patrus Ananias Announces Pre-Candidacy for Minas Gerais Governorship

Federal deputy and former Belo Horizonte mayor Patrus Ananias (PT) announced his pre-candidacy for the governorship of Minas Gerais on June 20, 2026 ^[1].

This move signals a critical shift in the Workers' Party (PT) strategy as it struggles to consolidate a viable candidate for the state's executive office. The internal friction highlights a broader challenge for the party to balance local ambitions with national presidential preferences ahead of the general elections.

Ananias stepped forward after a series of refusals and frustrated negotiations with other potential party figures ^[2]. He said that a broad dialogue is necessary for the PT to establish a strong candidacy to compete in the gubernatorial race scheduled for October 2026 ^[2].

"Precisamos de um diálogo amplo para que o PT consiga estabelecer uma candidatura forte para disputar a eleição ao governo de Minas Gerais," Ananias said ^[2].

However, the announcement has not resolved the party's internal divisions. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed a different preference, saying that he wants Marília Campos in the race for the governorship ^[3]. This creates a contradiction between the party's grassroots movements and the leadership's vision for the state.

Marília Campos also voiced concerns regarding the party's current path. She said that the PT strategy of launching its own candidacy for the government of Minas Gerais was a mistake ^[4].

The tension between Ananias and the preferences of the party leadership suggests a fragmented approach to the 2026 cycle. While Ananias is positioning himself as the likely candidate, the explicit support from the president for Campos indicates that the nomination remains contested within the party ranks.