Lobão Filho: "Why are the people of Maranhão being humiliated?"
Allied with the Sarney family, which has dominated Maranhão politics for about 50 years, Senator Lobão Filho (PMDB-MA), a candidate for state governor, stated his challenge to stimulate the development of his state and meet the aspirations of the people; according to the parliamentarian, despite the positive indicators – the congressman noted that in 2012 Maranhão's GDP grew more than four times above the national average – "Why is Maranhão so attacked, so hurt, and its people so humiliated?", he questioned.
Maranhão 247, with Agência Senado - Senator Lobão Filho (PMDB-MA) stated his commitment to stimulating the development of his state and meeting the aspirations of its people. He said that Maranhão is a state that has been "wronged," despite positive indicators. Lobão noted progress in sectors such as industry, logistics, and rural production, and pointed out that in 2012 Maranhão's gross domestic product grew more than four times above the national average.
In the senator's opinion, there is a national mobilization, driven by electoral interests, to attack the image of Maranhão.
"We have problems. Yes, we have problems, just like all the other states. Brasília, for example, is surrounded by enormous social problems. São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with their numerous and dangerous favelas. Why is Maranhão so attacked, so hurt, and its people so humiliated?" asked the senator, a candidate for governor of Maranhão and supported by the Sarney family, which has dominated the politics of that state for about 50 years.
A survey released by the Econometric Research Institute this weekend shows the PMDB candidate in second place in the race for governor of Maranhão, with 31% of the electorate, behind former Embratur president Flávio Dino (PC do B), who has 50,6%.
Lobão Filho's coalition, "Pra Frente Maranhão," brings together 18 parties (PMDB, PT, DEM, PSD, PR, PTB, PSL, PEN, PSDC, PRP, PTN, PMN, PSC, PHS, PRTB, PRB, PV, and PTdoB), and has as its vice-presidential candidate the president of the Legislative Assembly, state deputy Arnaldo Melo (PMDB). Gastão Vieira, also from the PMDB and former Minister of Tourism, was nominated for the Senate race.
In turn, Flávio Dino has Carlos Brandão (PSDB) as his running mate, and Roberto Rocha (PSB) is running for the Senate. The coalition, "Todos pelo Maranhão" (All for Maranhão), is formed by nine parties (PP / SD / PROS / PSDB / PC do B / PSB / PDT / PTC / PPS).