Brazil gubernatorial debate in São Paulo draws only 3 of 7 candidates; Lula, Bolsonaro absent

A scheduled debate for the São Paulo governorship in Brazil's 2026 election saw only three of seven invited candidates attend, with major figures Lula, Flávio Bolsonaro, Caiado, and Renan Santos skipping. The absence of leading candidates reduces the debate's impact on voter decisions and highlights campaign strategy differences.