ACM Neto supports Doria against Alckmin.
The mayor of Salvador, ACM Neto (DEM), has signaled to allies that he supports João Doria's candidacy for the PSDB presidential election next year; according to a party member, the mayor could withdraw from the race for governor of Bahia if the PSDB candidate is Geraldo Alckmin and not his São Paulo colleague; with 10,6 million voters, Bahia is the fourth largest electoral college in the country and a decisive factor in past PT victories.
Bahia 247 - The DEM's main electoral asset, Mayor ACM Neto (Salvador), has signaled to allies that he supports João Doria's candidacy for the PSDB's presidential nomination next year.
According to a fellow party member, the mayor might withdraw from the race for governor of Bahia if the PSDB candidate is Geraldo Alckmin and not his colleague from São Paulo.
ACM Neto has a good relationship with the governor of São Paulo, but considers him a difficult candidate to promote in the largest electoral district in the Northeast, and fears the effects on his own performance.
Alckmin's allies downplay the assessment put forward by ACM Neto, arguing that a candidacy by the mayor would boost the PSDB's vote against the power of the PT party of former governor Jaques Wagner.
With 10,6 million voters, Bahia is the fourth largest electoral college in the country and a decisive factor in past victories for the Workers' Party (PT). ACM Neto has been mayor since 2013, with a high approval rating.
Alckmin supporters also identify the Democrat as creating difficulties in order to gain advantages in future negotiations, especially since the dismantling of the PSB party removed the clout that Alckmin's ally in São Paulo could offer nationally.
The information is from Report by Igor Gielow in Folha de S.Paulo.