The Partido Socialista Brasileiro (PSB) wants Simone Tebet to run for one of two Senate seats in São Paulo during the 2026 elections [1].

This move signals a strategic effort by the PSB to maintain Tebet's political visibility and influence within the legislative branch. By positioning her for a Senate run, the party aims to avoid what it describes as the political erasure of her career.

Tebet, a former Minister of Planning, officially signed her affiliation with the PSB on Friday the 27th [1]. The party's preference for a Senate bid comes amid discussions regarding other potential roles for the politician. According to party sources, the PSB rejected the possibility of Tebet being appointed to the Supreme Court or serving as a vice-presidential candidate on a ticket with Fernando Haddad [1], [2].

While the party leadership supports a Senate run, internal dynamics suggest differing views on her future. Some reports indicate that an unnamed former minister has pushed for Tebet to take a vice-presidential slot alongside Haddad [4]. This contradiction highlights a tension between the party's desire for a legislative stronghold in São Paulo and the potential for a broader executive role.

São Paulo is a critical battleground for the 2026 cycle, as the state is contested for two available seats in the Federal Senate [1]. The PSB believes that a direct run for the Senate is the most effective way to preserve Tebet's political standing—rather than accepting an appointment or a secondary role on a presidential ticket [1], [2].

The party's strategy focuses on ensuring Tebet remains a central figure in the electoral process. By targeting a seat in the Senate, the PSB seeks to leverage her profile to secure a victory in one of Brazil's most populous states [1].

“The PSB argues that other possibilities would amount to a political ‘erasure’ of Tebet.”

The PSB's insistence on a Senate run for Simone Tebet suggests a preference for legislative power over executive support roles. By rejecting a vice-presidential slot or a judicial appointment, the party is betting that Tebet can win a competitive race in São Paulo, which would grant the PSB significant leverage in the Federal Senate following the 2026 elections.