Carlos Bolsonaro, a member of the PL party and former Rio de Janeiro city councilor, announced his pre-candidacy for the Brazilian Senate representing Santa Catarina [1, 2].

The move is significant because it signals a strategic shift for Bolsonaro to seek a national mandate in a state known for its conservative stronghold, moving his political base away from his traditional roots in Rio de Janeiro.

To address questions regarding his electoral address and residency in the state, Bolsonaro used spiritual and emotional language to describe his connection to the region. He said, “Aqui eu renasci,” or “Here I was reborn” [2, 3].

Bolsonaro is attempting to align himself with the local population to counter criticisms that he lacks a native connection to the state. He said the residents of Santa Catarina are “Um povo de bem,” referring to them as a good people [1].

Beyond the local appeal, the pre-candidacy is framed as a broader political battle. Bolsonaro said that his presence in the race represents “Uma ameaça à esquerda,” or a threat to the left [2].

By establishing his candidacy in Santa Catarina, Bolsonaro aims to consolidate support among conservative voters who view him as a key figure in the PL party's national strategy. The use of the term "reborn" serves as a rhetorical tool to justify his legal eligibility to run for office in a jurisdiction where he was not born [1, 2].

““Aqui eu renasci””

This move suggests a calculated effort by Carlos Bolsonaro to leverage the ideological alignment of Santa Catarina's electorate to secure a Senate seat. By framing his residency through the lens of a personal and political rebirth, he seeks to bypass traditional geographic expectations for candidates and position himself as a national figurehead for the right-wing opposition.