Members of the PL party in São Paulo, closely associated with former president Jair Bolsonaro, are voicing displeasure concerning the attention given to councilor Lucas Pavanato by the party's top leadership. Pavanato, who was the most voted councilor in São Paulo's 2024 elections, is seen as a key candidate for the House of Deputies in the upcoming elections. His connections with the Bolsonaro family have raised eyebrows, particularly as he had previously criticized Bolsonaro, suggesting that there is a significant shift in how the party views him now.

The situation has been exacerbated by comments from other bolsonarists within the party, pointing to a video emerging from 2022 where Pavanato vocally criticized Bolsonaro's leadership. Gil Diniz, a state representative and ally of the Bolsonaro family, uploaded the video, reminding supporters of Pavanato's past remarks in light of the current support he is receiving. This contradiction highlights the tension among PL members as they navigate their support for candidates with contentious pasts in the wake of Bolsonaro's presidency.

Furthermore, it appears that the PL has made considerable investments in Pavanato's campaign, even granting him the presidency of PL Jovem, a youth wing of the party. Pavanato himself has suggested that he regrets his earlier statements, indicating a desire to align more closely with the current party dynamics. This evolving relationship poses questions about political loyalty and the pragmatism that often guides party strategies as elections approach, underscoring the complexities within Brazilian politics following Bolsonaro's era.