The Rio de Janeiro gubernatorial election of October 2018 was for the election of the Governor and Vice Governor of Rio de Janeiro and 70 State Deputies. People also voted for 2 of 3 Senators of the state representation in the Federal legislative power, with 45 federal deputies representatives of the Rio de Janeiro State. A second round was held after no candidate managed to secure more than 50% of the Governor votes.
The previous gubernatorial election in the state was held in October 2014. Supported by the Brazilian Democratic Movement, Luiz Fernando Pezão was re-elected in second round with 55.78% of the votes, against 44.22% of Marcelo Crivella.
In the second round runoff, Wilson Witzel was elected Governor of Rio de Janeiro.
Gubernatorial candidates
Declined candidates
- Paulo Hartung (MDB) - Governor of Espírito Santo 2003–2011 and since 2015; Senator for Espírito Santo 1999–2002; Mayor of Vitória 1993–1997; Federal Deputy from Espírito Santo 1987–1991; State Deputy of Espírito Santo 1983–1987.
- Marcelo Crivella (PRB) - Mayor of Rio de Janeiro since 2017; Minister of Fishing and Aquaculture 2012–2014; Senator for Rio de Janeiro 2003–2016. Candidate for Governor of Rio de Janeiro in 2006 and 2014.
- Sérgio Besserman Vianna - President of IBGE 1999–2003.
- Omar Peres (PDT) - businessman. Candidate for Mayor of Juiz de Fora in 2008.
- Rodrigo Neves (PDT) - Mayor of Niterói since 2013; State Deputy of Rio de Janeiro 2007–2013; City Councillor of Niterói 1997–2007.
- Cesar Maia (DEM) - City Councillor of Rio de Janeiro since 2013; Mayor of Rio de Janeiro 1993–1997, 2001–2009; Federal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro 1987–1992. Candidate for Senator in 2010 and 2014.
- Bernardo Rezende (NOVO) - Brazil men's national volleyball team coach 2001–2017.
- Eduardo Bandeira de Mello - President of Flamengo Rowing Club since 2013.
- Celso Amorim (PT) - Minister of Defence 2011–2015; Minister of Foreign Affairs 1993–1995, 2003–2011.
- Miro Teixeira (REDE) - Federal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro since 1987, 1971–1983; Minister of Communications 2003–2004.
- Chico Alencar (PSOL) - Federal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro.
- Vinícius Farah (MDB) - Mayor of Três Rios 2009–2017; Vice Mayor of Três Rios 2005–2009.
- Rubem Cesar Fernandes (PPS) - Director of Viva Rio.
- Mendelssohn Kieling (PMB) - Prosecutor of justice.
- Leonardo Giordano (PCdoB) - City Councillor of Niterói since 2009.
Results
PSC candidate Wilson Witzel secured 39 percent of the vote in the October 7. His nearest rival, DEM candidate Eduardo Paes, secured 21% of the vote. Both advanced to a second round runoff which was held on October 28. In the runoff, Witzel won the election after securing 59.87% of the vote to Paes' 40.13%