Goiás Governor Daniel Vilela cast his ballot in Goiânia on Sunday during the first round of the 2026 national elections.
He was accompanied by his wife Iara Alves Netto da Costa Vilela, family members, presidential candidate Ronaldo Caiado, and political allies.
Goiânia Mayor Sandro Mabel publicly backed Vilela's bid for a full term, saying the continuation of the state administration is the most beneficial outcome for the capital city.
Vilela, who represents the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), framed his candidacy as a continuation and expansion of the governance model established by former governor Ronaldo Caiado.
"Without a doubt, today we are deciding the future of our state, of our country," Vilela said.
He added that as a candidate for reelection, he feels with a clear conscience and is happy to have brought the project of continuity to all Goianos.
Vilela said Goiás can and will advance a lot under his leadership if that is the will of the Goianos.
The governor noted that if his victory is confirmed without a runoff, his administration will immediately resume management routines.
"If we have the consolidation of the victory today, tomorrow we will already be meeting with our secretariat, with our collaborators to continue with the projects that we already have underway," he said.
Vilela expressed full trust in the capabilities of his cabinet members to handle regional administration challenges.
"We currently have a very qualified, very prepared team. All together we will make a great government for Goiás," he said.
Addressing campaign tactics from political opponents, including references to his late father, former governor Maguito Vilela, in election broadcasts, the candidate chose not to criticize rival campaigns.
"I don't have to give an opinion on the campaign of opponents.
I did what I wanted to do, which was to dialogue with the Goianos, present the projects, present myself to the Goianos," Vilela said.
He added that he was in all regions and that this will be the factor of reflection and decision of the vote.
Vilela scheduled his vote monitoring at the Palácio das Esmeraldas, the official seat of the state government in Goiânia.
Mayor Sandro Mabel Highlights State and City Alignment
Mayor Sandro Mabel highlighted that joint administrative actions in public security and infrastructure reinforce the necessity of keeping state and municipal management aligned.
"It is better for Goiânia if Daniel wins, there is no doubt about that," Mabel said.
Mabel pointed out that operational coordination between the Metropolitan Civil Guard and state police forces already yields practical benefits, such as shared camera surveillance and intelligence resources.
"We are already working together, we did a lot of things together, Caiado and now Daniel.
So, for the city hall, working government and city hall together is spectacular," he said.
Commenting on the national political landscape, the mayor expressed openness toward executive turnover at the federal level to prevent entrenched administrative habits.
"I think that when the government stays too much inside the government, it has a lot of vices, a lot of habits, we are with a series of problems.
I think a renewal is not bad," Mabel said.
Mabel also critiqued current election regulations, arguing that reduced street mobilization limits the development of young political leadership.
"You don't let much happen in the campaign, you don't see movement, you don't see anything," he said.
He recalled past campaign dynamics where youth engagement in public rallies fostered civic participation.
"In the past, you would hold a rally, the children would also be down there, one would go to one side, the other cheered for the other, the kids were thrilled about the subject," Mabel said.
The mayor concluded that modern internet-centric campaigns hinder traditional grassroots political training.
"This is very bad for the formation of new leadership," he said.
