The Unidade Popular (UP) officially nominated Samara Martins for President of Brazil during a national convention on Sunday, July 26, 2026 [1].
The nomination marks a strategic shift for the party as it presents a fully female ticket for the upcoming presidential election. By pairing Martins with vice-presidential candidate Raquel Brício, the UP is positioning gender representation as a central pillar of its political platform.
The convention took place at the Universidade Zumbi dos Palmares, located in the Bom Retiro neighborhood of São Paulo city [2]. The event served as the formal launch for the party's campaign strategy, emphasizing a ticket that is 100% female [3].
Martins is a dentist for the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) and a leader within various social movements [4]. She previously sought higher office as a vice-presidential candidate during the 2022 election cycle [5]. Her transition to the top of the ticket reflects the party's intent to lead with a candidate rooted in public health and social activism.
Raquel Brício joins the ticket as the candidate for vice-president, completing the all-female slate [2]. The party's decision to bypass traditional gender splits in its leadership ticket is a distinct move within the Brazilian political landscape.
The officialization of the candidates on July 26, 2026 [1], sets the stage for the UP to challenge established political blocs. The party aims to leverage Martins' background in public service and social movements to mobilize voters who feel underserved by the current administration.
“The Unidade Popular (UP) officially nominated Samara Martins for President of Brazil”
The nomination of a 100% female ticket by Unidade Popular is an attempt to disrupt Brazil's male-dominated political hierarchy. By selecting a SUS dentist and social movement leader, the party is signaling a platform focused on public health and grassroots activism rather than traditional political machinery.
