Republicanos Nominates Crivella and Waguinho for Rio Senate Seats

Brazil’s Republicanos party formally nominated former Rio de Janeiro Mayor Marcelo Crivella and former Belford Roxo Mayor Waguinho for the Senate in the 2026 election. The candidacies were approved Saturday at the party’s state convention in Rio’s Tijuca neighborhood.

Crivella, a former senator and current federal lawmaker, said he and his political allies had faced what he described as political persecution and repeated legal battles. He connected those proceedings to his claim that the group had prioritized ordinary citizens.

“It is persecution, it is struggle, it is lawsuits,” Crivella said, referring also to the personal impact on Waguinho’s family. “Nothing has defeated us.”

The statement was made during a speech in which Crivella recalled beginning his political career alongside former Rio Governor Anthony Garotinho and his wife, former Governor Rosinha Garotinho, 24 years ago. Crivella ended his remarks by leading a prayer.

The Senate Ticket

Waguinho said he accepted the nomination out of gratitude to Republicanos and to Anthony Garotinho, who is running for governor. He praised Garotinho as the “governor of the poor” and highlighted social programs introduced during Garotinho’s administration, including subsidized public restaurants.

Waguinho’s first alternate candidate is André Soares, the son of missionary R. R. Soares, leader of the International Church of God’s Grace. The second alternate is identified as Dra. Renata.

After the convention, Waguinho said the ticket’s priorities would include restoring public services and investment in Rio de Janeiro state. He said Republicanos had established political structures in all 92 municipalities, including allies working on campaigns for state and federal lawmakers, Senate candidates and the governor.

Crivella acknowledged that the ticket would need to gain ground in opinion polls but said he remained optimistic. He argued that his political history and Garotinho’s experience reflected the struggles faced by many voters.

Crivella’s Legal Case

Crivella served as a senator from 2003 to 2017, as minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture from 2012 to 2014, and as Rio’s mayor from 2017 to 2020. He has represented Rio in the Chamber of Deputies since February 2023.

In December 2020, while still mayor, Crivella was arrested in Operation Hades, an investigation into an alleged corruption network known as the “Bribe Headquarters.” Prosecutors alleged that business owners paid bribes to secure municipal contracts and speed up government payments. Crivella has consistently denied wrongdoing.

In January 2026, the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor’s Office filed civil misconduct charges against Crivella and 10 other people. Prosecutors are seeking the return of R$32 million (approximately USD 6 million at recent exchange rates) to public coffers and allege that the group manipulated tenders and used shell companies, fictitious contracts and false invoices.

The prosecution alleges that Crivella coordinated the scheme with businessman Rafael Alves and knew about the irregularities. His defense denies the accusations, and the case remains pending before the courts.

This article is based on single-source reporting by O Globo.