Son of impeached mayor and imprisoned for connection with CV wins election in Ceará

In an election marked by the presence of security forces, the town of Santa Quitéria (CE) elected Joel Barroso (PSB) as the new mayor. He is the son of José Braga Barroso, known as Braguinha (PSB), who was reelected in October 2024 but had his mandate revoked and is currently in prison after being convicted of connections with the CV (Comando Vermelho) and receiving support from the faction during the campaign.
Due to the tension generated by the 2024 election, the TRE (Regional Electoral Court) set up a task force today with 500 agents (300 state security police officers and 200 from the Army). No serious incidents were reported.
With 86% of the ballots counted by 6:44 p.m., Barroso had 53.17% of the valid votes and could no longer be reached by former state deputy Cândida Figueiredo (Union) or by Lígia Protásio (PT), Braguinha’s former deputy mayor and interim mayor in 2024 during the mayor’s judicial suspension.
As Joel Barroso was a councilor and was already acting as interim mayor, he will continue in office. Meanwhile, Braguinha, the father of the new mayor, cannot attend his son’s victory celebration as he is under house arrest with an electronic ankle bracelet in Fortaleza. The arrest order was issued by the TRE based on the investigation that led to his impeachment.
In the October 2024 election, Braguinha won with 11,292 votes (41.01% of the total valid votes), followed by Tomás with 8,106 votes and candidate Dr. Lígia Protásio (PT) with 7,991 votes.
Despite his father’s arrest, impeachment, and conviction, Braguinha’s son received decisive support from key figures in Ceará politics, including Senator Cid Gomes (PSB), who campaigned in Santa Quitéria the previous weekend and urged voters to support Joel.