The toucan’s nest: PSDB in state of São Paulo (1994-2018)

Abstract

This article is a case study about the PSDB's electoral and organizational trajectory in the state of São Paulo between 1994 and 2018. The aim is to identify how the political party maintains its dominance, with seven consecutive victories for the state government and greater number of city halls won among other parties since 1996. This work is based on the hypothesis that PSDB’s internal organization in São Paulo was essential for the party to remain dominant during the analyzed period. The methodology involved electoral data, thus we could measure the party's electoral success for the positions of councilor, mayor and governor, as well as interviews for an understanding of the party's strategies. The results show a party's organizational structure under strong institutionalization, with a state executive capable of inspecting all municipalities in the state, attending demands and showing itself as a present party to the electorate.

Brazilian Social Democracy Party; political parties; party strategies; election campaign; elections