Flávio Bolsonaro Reshuffles Campaign Marketing Team Weeks Before Launch

Flávio Bolsonaro Dismisses Campaign Marketers Weeks Before Launch

Presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) has parted ways with his two top campaign marketers, Eduardo Fischer and Alexandre Oltramari, less than three weeks before the official campaign period begins. The announcement was made by Senator Marinho, the campaign coordinator, in a statement thanking them for their “excepcional work” and calling their contributions “importantissimas e valiosas.”

This is the second overhaul of the campaign’s communications leadership since the pre-campaign started. In May, after reports surfaced that Flávio Bolsonaro had approached ex-banker Daniel Vorcaro for funds to produce a film titled “Dark Horse,” Eduardo Fischer was brought in to lead the marketing team. Now, both Fischer and Oltramari are out.

Marinho said Duda Lima has been invited to head communications. He did not confirm whether the publicist has accepted, but Lima is a well-known figure in Bolsonaro circles: he was the advertising chief for Jair Bolsonaro’s failed 2022 re-election bid and, more recently, worked on the re-election campaign of São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB) in 2024. That assignment made headlines when Lima was punched in the face by a supporter of a rival candidate.

The Turbulent Restart of Bolsonaro’s Marketing Operation

A Second Shake-Up Highlights Internal Instability

Two leadership changes inside a few months, with the official campaign start looming, suggests the operation is struggling to find a consistent message or stable personnel. The initial switch in May followed the controversial “Dark Horse” funding request, which had already raised questions about campaign financing. Now, the abrupt exit of the team that was supposed to steady the ship points to deeper coordination problems inside the campaign.

Duda Lima: A Combative Choice

Bringing in Duda Lima signals a likely shift toward a more aggressive style. Lima is known for tough, polarizing advertising — a hallmark of the Jair Bolsonaro campaigns. His most recent role, with Ricardo Nunes, ended with a physical altercation that generated negative press, but also demonstrated his willingness to engage directly — and confrontationally — with opponents. For Flávio, carrying the Bolsonaro brand, that may be the point: energize the base and grab attention in a crowded field, even at the risk of controversy.

The appointment would also reestablish a direct link to the 2022 national campaign infrastructure, suggesting an attempt to recharge support among the former president’s core voters. However, Lima’s acceptance is not guaranteed, and the timing leaves minimal room for a new team to build a cohesive strategy.