In a recent statement, Brazilian federal deputy Rui Falcão (PT-SP) expressed his belief that Tarcísio de Freitas' (Republicanos) prospects for reelection as governor of São Paulo will suffer a sharp decline with the announcement of Fernando Haddad (PT) as a candidate. Falcão, a former national president of the Workers' Party, suggested that Haddad's entry into the race would shatter Tarcísio's current image as a front-runner, especially given Haddad’s credentials and reputation for competence and integrity.

Falcão characterized Tarcísio de Freitas's governance as problematic, citing issues such as high rates of feminicide in the state, excessive tolls, and perceived neglect of education and water management through Sabesp. He asserted that these factors would play a crucial role in swaying voters’ opinions against Tarcísio and in favor of Haddad, who is anticipated to leave his position as Minister of Finance to contest the state governorship following pressure from President Lula and party leaders.

According to a recent Datafolha survey, Haddad currently polls at 31%, while Tarcísio leads with 44%. This polling data illustrates a competitive race ahead, suggesting that the inclusion of a strong candidate like Haddad may disrupt the current electoral dynamics, particularly as the elections approach and voter sentiment begins to coalesce around Haddad’s platform and vision for São Paulo.