Brazil’s Democratic Labor Party (PDT) confirmed Ciro Gomes’s presidential candidacy today (Jul. 20) at the party’s national convention. “[Gomes] has the responsibility of being the synthesis of a sovereign and more just Brazil,” said PDT head Carlos Lupi.
This is the third time Gomes runs for president in Brazil. In 1998 and 2002 he took part in the electoral race under the Popular Socialist Party, the PPS.
A running mate is yet to be named, and what parties will back the hopeful’s candidacy is still unclear.
PDT top leaders expect Gomes to bring the party to the front line at state level. Lupi has talked about having at least 40 federal representatives elected in the same ticket this year. As it stands today, the party has 19 lawmakers in the lower house, plus three senators.
Bio
Born in São Paulo, Ciro Gomes built his career in politics in another state, Ceará, northeast Brazil, where was elected mayor of capital Fortaleza in 1988 and state governor in 1990. He resigned his post as governor in 1994 to take the helm of the Finance Ministry under former President Itamar Franco (1992–1994).
Ciro Gomes also served as Minister for National Integration from 2003 to 2006 under Lula, and spearheaded the São Francisco river transposition project. He left the ministry to run for a post in the lower house and won. He was also state representative for Ceará for two terms. Gomes is 60 years old and has four children.
