Tarcísio de Freitas widens lead over Fernando Haddad in São Paulo governor race, Datafolha shows

A new Datafolha poll for the São Paulo state government released this Sunday shows incumbent governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos) leading with 46% of total voting intentions, while former finance minister Fernando Haddad (PT) trails at 30%, according to Extra Online.

Extra OnlineDatafolha: Tarcísio lidera em SP com 46%, contra 30% de Haddad

"A diferença entre os dois se ampliou em relação à situação de março"

The gap has grown since Datafolha's first survey of the year three months ago, when Tarcísio had 44% and Haddad 31%, indicating a shift of one percentage point in the governor's favor.

Three far-left candidates occupy a distant second tier, together accounting for 13% of voter support. Extra Online reported that Vera Lucia (PSTU) has 5%, while Carlos Machado (PCB) and Vivian Mendes (UP) each have 4%. In valid votes excluding blanks and nulls, Folha de S.Paulo noted Tarcísio reaches 52%.

The combined 13% held by the smaller candidates could become a target for Haddad's campaign as he seeks to close the gap, though the data suggests a substantial challenge remains ahead of the election.