Federal deputy Gleisi Hoffmann, a senior figure in President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's Workers' Party (PT), attacked senator Sergio Moro during a campaign event in Curitiba, calling him a "thief judge" as Parana's 2026 election race began to take shape.
The remark came on Saturday, May 30, at the launch of state deputy Requiao Filho's pre-candidacy for governor of Parana. Hoffmann, a former minister of Institutional Relations and now a PT pre-candidate for one of Parana's two Senate seats, said the left would defeat "the far right in Brazil and the thief judge in Parana," according to Gazeta do Povo and Poder360.
Rival Platforms
Moro, a former federal judge best known for Operation Car Wash, the sweeping anti-corruption probe that began in 2014, is running for governor with the Liberal Party (PL), the party of former president Jair Bolsonaro. He launched his own pre-candidacy one day earlier at a PL event in Curitiba attended by senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the former president's son and a pre-candidate for Brazil's presidency.
UOL framed the Parana race as part of a broader national alignment: Hoffmann and Requiao Filho would give Lula a state platform, while Moro's ticket would give Flavio Bolsonaro a foothold in one of southern Brazil's most politically important states. UOL reported that Moro has led voting-intention polls in Parana. At the PT-linked event, Hoffmann said Requiao Filho would reach the second round and defeat Moro if they faced each other, saying "the other political field is lost, divided, and has no project for Parana."
The Paraná Field
The Curitiba event took place at Igloo Super Hall and gathered PT and allied party figures, including PT national president Edinho Silva and federal deputies Lindbergh Farias, Carol Dartora and Tadeu Veneri. Poder360 also listed state deputy Arilson Chiorato and former deputy Enio Verri among those present. Mural do Parana, citing organizers, reported that more than 6,000 people attended, and listed leaders from the PDT, PT, PCdoB, PV, Rede and PSOL.
The Parana PT had defined its support for Requiao Filho in December, after internal talks that began in 2025. The alliance has not yet announced its candidate for lieutenant governor or its second Senate name. Poder360 reported that formal party conventions, when candidacies are legally confirmed, will take place between July 20 and August 5.
Requiao Filho, of the Democratic Labour Party (PDT), is the son of former Parana governor Roberto Requiao, who governed the state for three terms. Brasil247 reported that Hoffmann praised him as a political heir to his father's record.
Moro's Response
Moro's own launch event emphasized Operation Car Wash and public security. Gazeta do Povo reported that he defended an anti-corruption agenda and criticized Lula's government over crime and organized criminal groups. UOL said the event also launched federal deputy Filipe Barros and former prosecutor Deltan Dallagnol as Senate pre-candidates on the PL-allied ticket, backed by Novo. Metropoles reported that Moro defended the PL-Novo alliance and said the two parties would become among the largest forces in Parana after the next cycle.
In a statement sent to Poder360, Moro said the audience confirmed that "the Republic of Curitiba is ours and Parana is our fortress," using a phrase associated with the city's role in Operation Car Wash. He said more than 5,000 people had registered and that some could not enter because of space limits.
Old Fault Lines
The fight carries national symbolism because Moro and Dallagnol were central figures in Operation Car Wash, which reshaped Brazilian politics and helped lead to Lula's imprisonment before the Supreme Federal Court later annulled the convictions on procedural grounds. Moro later served as justice minister under Jair Bolsonaro before breaking with his government.
Hoffmann also attacked Filipe Barros, calling him the "deputy of the Master amendment," a reference to his proposal to raise coverage by Brazil's Credit Guarantee Fund from R$250,000 to R$1 million. Brasil247 and Esmael Morais said the proposal has been linked in political debate to Banco Master and its controlling shareholder, Daniel Vorcaro. Barros has denied wrongdoing and said the measure aimed to protect small and medium investors.
A Third Bloc
A third Parana bloc is also forming around governor Ratinho Jr., of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). UOL reported that Ratinho Jr. is expected to back federal deputy Sandro Alex for governor and give a state platform to former Goias governor Ronaldo Caiado, the PSD's presidential pre-candidate.
The early launches show how Parana's state race is already tied to Brazil's national contest, linking Lula's bid for a stronger Senate base, Flavio Bolsonaro's presidential campaign, Moro's attempt to move from the Senate to the state government, and the PSD's effort to keep control of Parana after Ratinho Jr.'s administration.