Who is João Campos?
João Campos, the son of former Governor Eduardo Campos, was elected federal deputy in 2018 and Mayor of Recife in 2020, and was re-elected in 2024 with 78.11 percent of valid votes. In June 2025 he became national president of the PSB. He resigned as mayor on 2 April 2026 to run for governor of Pernambuco, with Carlos Costa (Republicanos) as running mate and the support of Lula and Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin. On 4 October 2026 he lost in the first round: Governor Raquel Lyra (PSD) was re-elected with 53.27 percent of valid votes against 44.82 percent for Campos. He conceded and said he would work for Lula's re-election in the runoff.
Previously: Candidate for Governor of Pernambuco, defeated on 4 October 2026 · Mayor of Recife (January 2021 to April 2026) · Federal deputy for Pernambuco (2019-2021)
Documented positions
- Proposed full-time schools, technical and bilingual education and more daycare places, in a cycle he described as running from early childhood to first job.Source: cnnbrasil.com.br
- Pledged four hospitals built in partnership with the federal government.Source: cnnbrasil.com.br
- Called criminal factions "the great plague" of security and violence, and proposed stronger police forces, preventive policies, border monitoring and zero tolerance on violence against women.Source: cnnbrasil.com.br
- Promised 10,000 higher-education training places in four years, to double the state's technical education network, and to use a regional development fund to attract companies.Source: diariodepernambuco.com.br
- Wants Pernambuco to have a bigger role in the Transnordestina railway concession model and sees the Manaus Free Trade Zone as a growing competitor.Source: diariodepernambuco.com.br
- Described "perfect harmony and alignment" between his campaign and the PT, state and national, and said he is aligned with President Lula.Source: cnnbrasil.com.br
- Said after his defeat that his priority is Lula's re-election, and that he would not give up on Brazil or Pernambuco.Source: diariodepernambuco.com.br
Record
As mayor of Recife for five years and three months, Campos expanded full-time schooling and launched the Primeiras Letras literacy programme, delivered the second stage of the Parque Governador Eduardo Campos and, by his own count, moved 80,000 people out of risk areas. An AtlasIntel poll in December 2025 put approval at 51 percent as good or excellent, fourth among capital mayors. As PSB president he steered the party into Lula's re-election campaign. In 2026 he gave up the mayoralty to run for governor and lost.
Supporters credit him with Recife's investment and social programmes. His campaign was weakened by division in the PT, whose state president, Osmar Ricardo, backed Raquel Lyra, according to CNN Brasil.
