Douglas Ruas, candidate from the Liberal Party (PL) for governor of Rio de Janeiro, is trying to distance himself from Cláudio Castro during the first forum organized by newspapers O GLOBO, Extra, Valor and radio CBN. Ruas served as Secretary of Cities under Castro until March and played a prominent role in his government for nearly three years, but is now seeking to break free from the former governor, who resigned from office to run for Senate.
Castro lost his place on Ruas's ticket after being convicted of ineligibility for abuse of political and economic power, in addition to coming under investigation by the Federal Police for suspected corruption. During the forum, Ruas did not give a positive evaluation of his former boss's administration and even accused rival Eduardo Paes, from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), of being closer to Castro than he himself is.
The PL candidate reinforces his bond with former President Jair Bolsonaro and his son, Flávio, who is a presidential candidate for the party. Ruas seeks to associate Paes with those involved in crimes during the forum, trying to position himself differently from the scandals involving his fellow party member Castro.
Ruas is the current president of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) and appears in second place in polling for the state governorship race.