Gomide's running mate resigns from the candidacy in Goiás.
Goiânia city councilman Tayrone di Martino was suspended from the Workers' Party (PT) after voting against a project by Mayor Paulo Garcia, also from the PT, that alters property tax rates in the capital of Goiás. This decision further weakens the candidacy of the former mayor of Anápolis and could benefit the PSDB candidate Marconi Perillo, who, according to polls, could be re-elected in the first round. The PT's leadership suggests in an official statement that the councilman is conspiring in favor of his opponent.
Goiá247 - Councilor of Goiânia Tayrone di Martino (PT) resigned this Tuesday afternoon (30) from the position of candidate for vice-governor of Goiás. He formed a ticket with the former mayor of Anápolis, Antonio Gomide, also from the PT, who left the command of the third most populous city in the State to run for the State government.
Tayrone's resignation comes a week after he was suspended for 30 days by the PT (Workers' Party) Directorate as punishment for voting against an Executive branch project in the City Council that would result in a significant increase in property tax (IPTU) and urban land tax (ITU) in Goiânia starting in 2015. The capital of Goiás is governed by Paulo Garcia, a member of the PT, for whom Tayrone served as press secretary before being elected city councilor in 2012.
The councilman called a press conference to read a statement in which he said he had been the victim of an unjust punishment. He also stated that from now on he will dedicate himself entirely to his mandate.
Before the announcement of his resignation, representatives of the PT's Executive Committee tried to dissuade the councilman from resigning. In vain. The party leadership released a statement minutes later suggesting that Tayrone is working for the party's adversaries: "The PT of Goiânia had a firm participation in defending the party's decisions. It complied with the internal regulations, guided the caucus, and defended the PT government and Gomide's campaign. We deeply regret this fact on the eve of the election. Who benefits from a political event like this? Who will benefit from this situation?"
Tayrone's rebellion should result in disciplinary action and subsequent expulsion from the party. He has stated that he will not leave the party.
Tayrone's resignation, as indicated in the PT's statement, further weakens the candidacy of Antônio Gomide, who is fourth in the polls, with percentages ranging from 4% (Ibope) to 5,2% (Serpes). Gomide has not yet commented on his running mate's departure. However, this fact is not expected to have implications beyond political damage, since electoral law allows candidates to be replaced until the eve of the election. The announcement of the new running mate is expected within the next 24 hours.
On the other hand, it helps the candidacy of the governor and candidate for re-election Marconi Perillo (PSDB), who is traditionally popular in Anápolis, Gomide's main electoral base. Polls indicate that the PSDB candidate has a real chance of winning the election in the first round.
On social media, PT activists also accuse the councilman of plotting the rebellion to benefit Marconi. Tayrone, a journalist, is the Communications Director of the Association Sons of the Eternal Father (Afipe), whose president and rector of the Basilica Sanctuary of the Divine Eternal Father (Trindade-GO), the pop star priest Robson de Oliveira, is strongly associated with the governor.
Besides Tayrone, another city councilor from the PT (Workers' Party), Felizberto Tavares, also voted against the Executive's guidance on the IPTU (Property Tax) project. Tavares' punishment was more severe: a 60-day suspension from the PT. Both also lost all their politically appointed positions in the Goiânia City Hall.
Tayrone and Tavares' votes followed the guidance of the Workers' Party caucus (which, along with Carlos Soares, brother of former PT treasurer Delúbio Soares, totals three councilors in the Goiânia City Council) to reject the property tax bill.
The outcome of this whole mess involving the PT council members could result in disaster for the party. With the situation pointing towards the departure (or expulsion) of the two council members from the party, the PT could end the legislative term with only one council member. Four were elected in 2012. Djalma Araújo left the party and joined Solidariedade after a very tough clash with Mayor Garcia over a project that altered Goiânia's Master Plan to benefit the company Hipermarcas.