Five elected governors declare their support for Flamengo, demonstrating the club’s strong presence in Brazil’s regional power circles.
The recent first-round gubernatorial elections revealed an interesting prevalence of Flamengo supporters among those elected. Five new state leaders have declared their passion for the “Rubro-Negro,” spreading the influence of the “Nação” across key regions of the country, including the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast. This geographic and political diversity underscores the club’s reach, which transcends ideological and regional boundaries.
Among those elected, notable figures include Eduardo Braide (PSD) in Maranhão, Lucas Ribeiro (Progressistas) in Paraíba, and Rafael Fonteles (PT) in Piauí, forming the northeastern base of Flamengo fans. In the Midwest, Eduardo Riedel (Progressistas) secured his continuation in the government of Mato Grosso do Sul. Meanwhile, in São Paulo, the state with the largest electoral college in the country, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos) celebrated his reelection, bringing “Mengão” to a position of prominence in state leadership.
Flamengo Strengthens Its Presence in Government Palaces
The case of Tarcísio de Freitas in São Paulo is particularly notable. Born in Rio de Janeiro, the governor now leads a state historically dominated by traditional local clubs, consolidating a Flamengo presence in one of Brazil’s major economic hubs. His reelection reinforces the idea that the passion for Flamengo extends across different spheres of influence.
Eduardo Riedel and Rafael Fonteles also renewed their mandates, ensuring the continued presence of Flamengo fans in Mato Grosso do Sul and Piauí, respectively. Eduardo Braide, meanwhile, begins his tenure in the Maranhão government, expanding the reach of the “Rubro-Negro” in a state where the fan base already has a strong tradition. This presence across five different states highlights the strength of the “Nação” within power structures.
The “Rubro-Negro” fan base cuts across traditional political divides, reflecting the reach of the “Mais Querido” within regional power structures.
Fragmentation of Preferences and Electoral Landscape
Although Flamengo leads the preference among elected governors, other clubs are also present. Grêmio appears in second place with two representatives: Zucco (PL) in Rio Grande do Sul and Otaviano Pivetta (Republicanos) in Mato Grosso. Other clubs with national and regional reach, such as Palmeiras, Santos, and Cruzeiro, each have one governor.
The list is completed by teams more deeply rooted in their home states, such as Remo, Paysandu, Santa Cruz, Vitória, Ceará, Goiás, Figueirense, and Confiança. Interestingly, some governors share dual allegiances, such as Lucas Ribeiro, who supports both Flamengo and Campinense, and Arthur Henrique, who supports São Raimundo-RR and Palmeiras.
While many states have already decided their governors in the first round, the overall landscape is still taking shape. Seven states await the second round, meaning the complete list of club preferences for the 27 governors will only be consolidated after October 25th.
The election of Flamengo-supporting governors demonstrates the club’s influence and reach in various spheres of Brazilian society. The consolidation of these figures in state executive branches reinforces the role of soccer as a cultural and social element present throughout the country.
