The Liberal Party (PL) is working to select a substitute candidate for a Senate seat in Rio de Janeiro to replace ex-governor Cláudio Castro.
This shift occurs as the party attempts to distance itself from legal instability before the upcoming elections. A Federal Police operation investigating fraud by Castro has rendered his candidacy unsustainable, forcing party leadership to accelerate the search for a viable alternative.
Internal party dynamics are now centering on two primary contenders. Deputy Carlos Jordy is reportedly favored by the wing of the party aligned with the Bolsonaro family [1]. Meanwhile, Deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante has received backing from the centrist sector of the PL [3].
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) is expected to have a significant role in the final decision [2]. While some party members are pushing for a quick change, other data suggests Castro's previous standing was strong. A poll from April 24, 2026, showed Castro as a leading candidate in the Senate race [3].
Despite the polling data, the party is moving toward a deadline. The PL intends to define the substitute candidate by Friday, May 5, 2026 [3]. This timeline follows a Federal Police operation report dated May 15, 2026 [1].
The decision reflects a broader struggle within the party to balance populist appeal with legal viability. The final choice will likely depend on whether the party prioritizes the ideological alignment of the Bolsonaro wing, or the broader appeal of the centrist faction.
“A Federal Police operation investigating fraud by Castro has rendered his candidacy unsustainable”
The replacement of Cláudio Castro signals a strategic pivot by the Liberal Party to mitigate the political risk associated with ongoing corruption probes. By shifting the candidacy to either Carlos Jordy or Sóstenes Cavalcante, the party is choosing between doubling down on the Bolsonaro ideological core or pivoting toward a more centrist coalition to secure the Rio de Janeiro Senate seat.
