The Rio de Janeiro gubernatorial election of October 2018 was for the election of the Governor and Vice Governor of Rio de Janeiro and 70 State Deputies. People also voted for 2 of 3 Senators of the state representation in the Federal legislative power, with 45 federal deputies representatives of the Rio de Janeiro State. A second round was held after no candidate managed to secure more than 50% of the Governor votes.
The previous gubernatorial election in the state was held in October 2014. Supported by the Brazilian Democratic Movement, Luiz Fernando Pezão was re-elected in second round with 55.78% of the votes, against 44.22% of Marcelo Crivella.
In the second round runoff, Wilson Witzel was elected Governor of Rio de Janeiro.
Gubernatorial candidates Candidates in runoff Party Candidate Most relevant political office or occupationPartyRunning mateCoalitionElectoral number Social Christian Party (PSC) Wilson Witzel Federal judge of the 2nd Region(2001–2018) Social Christian Party (PSC) Cláudio CastroMore Order, More Progress Social Christian Party (PSC) Republican Party of the Social Order (PROS)20 Democrats (DEM) Eduardo Paes Mayor of Rio de Janeiro(2009–2017) Popular Socialist Party (PPS) Comte BittencourtStrength of Rio Democrats (DEM) Popular Socialist Party (PPS) Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) Progressistas (PP) Brazilian Labour Party (PTB) Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) Solidariedade Green Party (PV) Christian Democracy (DC) Humanist Party of Solidarity (PHS) Avante Party of National Mobilization (PMN)25
Candidates failing to make runoff Party Candidate Most relevant political office or occupationPartyRunning mateCoalitionElectoral number Democratic Labour Party (PDT) Pedro Fernandes Neto Member of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro(2007–2019) Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) Gláucio JulianelliRenew to Change Democratic Labour Party (PDT) Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB)12 Workers' Party (PT) Marcia Tiburi Philosopher, plastic artist, university professor and writer Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB) Leonardo GiordanoPopular Front Workers' Party (PT) Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB)13 United Socialist Workers' Party (PSTU) Dayse Oliveira Teacher and political militant United Socialist Workers' Party (PSTU) Pedro Villas-Bôas16 Podemos (PODE) Romário Faria Senator for Rio de Janeiro(2015–present) Party of the Republic (PR) Marcelo DelaroliThe Strength that Comes from the People Podemos (PODE) Party of the Republic (PR) Sustainability Network (REDE) Free Fatherland Party (PPL)19 Brazilian Labour Renewal Party (PRTB) André Monteiro Warrant Officer of the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State Brazilian Labour Renewal Party (PRTB) Jonas Licurgo28 New Party (NOVO) Marcelo Trindade Lawyer and professor New Party (NOVO) Carmen Migueles30 Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) Tarcísio Motta Member of the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro(2017–2023) Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) Ivanete SilvaChange is Possible Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) Brazilian Communist Party (PCB)50 Social Democratic Party (PSD) Indio da Costa Member of the Chamber of Deputies(2015–2019) Social Democratic Party (PSD) Zaqueu Teixeira55
Candidacies denied Party Candidate Most relevant political office or occupationPartyRunning mateCoalitionElectoral number Workers' Cause Party (PCO) Luiz Eugênio Metal worker Workers' Cause Party (PCO) Joaquim Nogueira29 Progressive Republican Party (PRP) Anthony Garotinho Member of the Chamber of Deputies(2011–2015) Brazilian Republican Party (PRB) Leide DuarteFor the People to be Happy Again Progressive Republican Party (PRP) Brazilian Republican Party (PRB) Christian Labour Party (PTC) Patriota (PATRI)44
Declined candidates Paulo Hartung (MDB) - Governor of Espírito Santo 2003–2011 and since 2015; Senator for Espírito Santo 1999–2002; Mayor of Vitória 1993–1997; Federal Deputy from Espírito Santo 1987–1991; State Deputy of Espírito Santo 1983–1987. Marcelo Crivella (PRB) - Mayor of Rio de Janeiro since 2017; Minister of Fishing and Aquaculture 2012–2014; Senator for Rio de Janeiro 2003–2016. Candidate for Governor of Rio de Janeiro in 2006 and 2014. Sérgio Besserman Vianna - President of IBGE 1999–2003. Omar Peres (PDT) - businessman. Candidate for Mayor of Juiz de Fora in 2008. Rodrigo Neves (PDT) - Mayor of Niterói since 2013; State Deputy of Rio de Janeiro 2007–2013; City Councillor of Niterói 1997–2007. Cesar Maia (DEM) - City Councillor of Rio de Janeiro since 2013; Mayor of Rio de Janeiro 1993–1997, 2001–2009; Federal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro 1987–1992. Candidate for Senator in 2010 and 2014. Bernardo Rezende (NOVO) - Brazil men's national volleyball team coach 2001–2017. Eduardo Bandeira de Mello - President of Flamengo Rowing Club since 2013. Celso Amorim (PT) - Minister of Defence 2011–2015; Minister of Foreign Affairs 1993–1995, 2003–2011. Miro Teixeira (REDE) - Federal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro since 1987, 1971–1983; Minister of Communications 2003–2004. Chico Alencar (PSOL) - Federal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro. Vinícius Farah (MDB) - Mayor of Três Rios 2009–2017; Vice Mayor of Três Rios 2005–2009. Rubem Cesar Fernandes (PPS) - Director of Viva Rio. Mendelssohn Kieling (PMB) - Prosecutor of justice. Leonardo Giordano (PCdoB) - City Councillor of Niterói since 2009.
Debates Governor 2018 Rio de Janeiro gubernatorial election debates Date Hosts Moderators ParticipantsKey: Witzel Paes Motta Romário Fernandes Indio Tiburi Garotinho 1.1 Thursday, 16 August 2018 Rede Bandeirantes Rodolfo Schneider 1.2 Tuesday, 28 August 2018 O Globo, Jornal Extra, Época, Estácio Ancelmo Gois, Berenice Seara 1.3 Wednesday, 19 September 2018 SBT, Folha, UOL Isabele Benito 1.4 Friday, 28 September 2018 RecordTV, R7 Janine Borba 1.5 Tuesday, 2 October 2018 Rede Globo, G1 Ana Paula Araújo 2.1 Wednesday, 17 October 2018 O Globo, Jornal Extra, Época Berenice Seara colspan=6 rowspan=6 2.2 Thursday, 18 October 2018 Rede Bandeirantes Rodolfo Schneider 2.3 Friday, 19 October 2018 RecordTV, R7 Janine Borba 2.4 Monday, 22 October 2022 CBN, G1 Bianca Santos 2.5 Tuesday, 23 October 2022 SBT, Folha, UOL, Super Rádio Tupi Isabele Benito 2.6 Thursday, 25 October 2018 Rede Globo, G1 Ana Paula Araújo
Opinion polls Governor First round Pollster/client(s) Date(s)conducted Samplesize Paes Romário Garotinho Motta Indio Fernandes Witzel Pezão Crivella Others Abst.Undec. Lead 2018 election 7 Oct – 19.56% 8.70% – 10.72% 5.95% 6.11% 41.28% – – 7.68% 19.34% 21.72% Datafolha 5–6 Oct 2,667 23% 15% – 10% 11% 5% 14% – – 5% 14% 8% Ibope 4–6 Oct 2,002 26% 17% – 7% 10% 5% 10% – – 8% 17% 9% Datafolha 3–4 Oct 1,484 24% 16% – 9% 10% 6% 10% – – 8% 18% 8% Ibope 30 Sep–2 Oct 2,002 26% 19% – 6% 10% 3% 7% – – 10% 20% 7% 27 Sep The Superior Electoral Court bans Anthony Garotinho from running in the 2018 elections Datafolha 26–28 Sep 1,414 25% 14% 15% 6% 8% 2% 4% – – 6% 19% 10% Ibope 22–24 Sep 1,512 24% 16% 16% 4% 6% 2% 4% – – 7% 22% 8% Datafolha 18–19 Sep 1,358 22% 14% 12% 6% 7% 2% 4% – – 5% 27% 8% Ibope 4–10 Sep 1,204 23% 20% 12% 5% 4% 2% 1% – – 5% 29% 3% Datafolha 4–6 Sep 1,357 24% 14% 10% 7% 5% 3% 1% – – 5% 30% 10% Datafolha 20–21 Aug 1,322 18% 16% 12% 5% 5% 3% 1% – – 7% 33% 2% Ibope 17–20 Aug 1,204 12% 14% 12% 5% 3% 2% 1% – – 5% 46% 2% 2014 election 5 Oct 2014 – – – 19.73% 8.92% – – – 40.57% 20.26% 10.53% 17.56% 20.31%
Second round Pollster/client(s) Date(s)conducted Samplesize Witzel Paes Pezão Crivella Abst.Undec. Lead 2018 election 28 Oct – 59.87% 40.13% – – 17.06% 19.74% Datafolha 26–27 Oct 3,008 44% 40% – – 16% 4% Ibope 25–27 Oct 2,002 45% 38% – – 17% 7% Datafolha 24–25 Oct 1,481 47% 37% – – 17% 10% Ibope 20–23 Oct 1,512 48% 38% – – 14% 10% Datafolha 17–18 Oct 1,484 50% 33% – – 17% 17% Ibope 15–17 Oct 1,512 51% 34% – – 14% 17% 2014 election 26 Oct – – – 55.78% 44.22% 17.5% 11.56%
Senator Pollster/client(s) Date(s)conducted Samplesize Maia Farias Bolsonaro Alencar Teixeira Pereira Oliveira Lopes Crivella Picciani Others Abst.Undec. Abst.Undec. Lead 2018 election 7 Oct – 16.67% 10.17% 31.36% 9.17% 3.09% 2.58% 17.06% 3.64% – – 6.27% 26.29% 14.30% Datafolha 3–4 Oct 1,542 29% 20% 30% 15% 11% 7% 11% 3% – – 18% 21% 34% 1% Ibope 30 Sep–2 Oct 2,002 27% 22% 26% 11% 10% 7% 9% 4% – – 22% 16% 25% 1% Datafolha 26–28 Sep 1,414 26% 22% 25% 14% 11% 6% 9% 4% – – 18% 24% 40% 1% Ibope 22–24 Sep 1,512 27% 19% 22% 11% 10% 8% 7% 3% – – 20% 18% 26% 5% Datafolha 18–19 Sep 1,358 24% 21% 26% 12% 11% 7% 8% 4% – – 19% 46% 26% 2% Ibope 7–9 Sep 1,204 22% 15% 19% 11% 9% 7% 4% – – – 18% 27% 37% 3% Paraná Pesquisas 25–30 Aug 1,860 15.7% 14.1% 19.7% 11.3% 8.5% 6.3% 6.5% 4.1% – – 11.4% 34.2% 4% RealTime Big Data 10–12 Aug 2,000 15% 10% 24% 14% 5% 2% 4% 7% – – 5% 12% 9% 2010 election 3 Oct – 11.06% 28.65% – – – – – – 22.66% 20.73% 16.91% 23.18% 5.99%
Senate elections
Confirmed candidates Party Candidate Most relevant political office or occupationParty Candidates for Alternate Senators Coalition Electoral numberBrazilian Republican Party (PRB) Eduardo Lopes Senator for Rio de Janeiro(2017–2019)Brazilian Republican Party (PRB)1st alternate senator:Jane CrivellaFor the People to be Happy Again Progressive Republican Party (PRP) Brazilian Republican Party (PRB) Christian Labour Party (PTC) Patriota (PATRI)100Christian Labour Party (PTC)2nd alternate senator:Luiz Guedes Junior Patriota (PATRI) Walter Cristie Theology, pastor and entrepreneur Progressive Republican Party (PRP)1st alternate senator:Carla Jordes5112nd alternate senator:Mauro Cunha Democratic Labour Party (PDT) José Bonifácio Democratic Labour Party (PDT)1st alternate senator:Maria José LagteRenew to Change Democratic Labour Party (PDT) Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB)1232nd alternate senator:Alice Alves Workers' Party (PT) Lindbergh Farias Senator for Rio de Janeiro(2011–2019) Workers' Party (PT)1st alternate senator:Edinho SilvaPopular Front Workers' Party (PT) Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB)1312nd alternate senator:Anazir Oliveira United Socialist Workers' Party (PSTU) Samantha Guedes Political militant United Socialist Workers' Party (PSTU)1st alternate senator:Juzerley Assunção rowspan="4" 1602nd alternate senator:Maria Elisa Guimarães United Socialist Workers' Party (PSTU) Cyro Garcia Member of the Chamber of Deputies(1992–1993) United Socialist Workers' Party (PSTU)1st alternate senator:Julia Eberhardt1612nd alternate senator:Sérgio Perdigão Social Liberal Party (PSL) Flávio Bolsonaro Member of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro(2003–2019) Social Liberal Party (PSL)1st alternate senator:Paulo Marinho rowspan="2" 1772nd alternate senator:Leonardo Rodrigues Sustainability Network (REDE) Miro Teixeira Member of the Chamber of Deputies(1987–) Sustainability Network (REDE)1st alternate senator:Sônia RabelloThe Strength that Comes from the People Podemos (PODE) Party of the Republic (PR) Sustainability Network (REDE) Free Fatherland Party (PPL)1882nd alternate senator:Valéria Tatsch Social Christian Party (PSC) Everaldo Pereira PSC National President(2015–2023) Social Christian Party (PSC)1st alternate senator:Donizete PereiraMore Order, More Progress Social Christian Party (PSC) Republican Party of the Social Order (PROS)2002nd alternate senator:Laercio de Almeida Brazilian Communist Party (PCB) Founder of Classist Unity and member of PCB women's wing Brazilian Communist Party (PCB)1st alternate senator:Valmiria GuidaChange is Possible Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) Brazilian Communist Party (PCB)2112nd alternate senator:Ricardo Pinheiro Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) Chico Alencar Member of the Chamber of Deputies(2003–2019) Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL)1st alternate senator:Vanderleia Aguiar5002nd alternate senator:Dodora Mota Democrats (DEM) Cesar Maia Member of the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro(2013–present) Democrats (DEM)1st alternate senator:Sergio ZveiterStrength of Rio Democrats (DEM)