Brazil kicks off election campaign with voters jaded

Brazil's presidential election campaign has kicked off with incumbent leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his right-wing rival Flavio Bolsonaro vying for a fourth term. The race has left many voters feeling a sense of déjà vu, as they are deeply polarized and under the shadow of US President Donald Trump, who has openly supported conservative candidates in recent Latin American elections.

Lula, 80, is seeking a fourth and final term, while Bolsonaro, 45, is the son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. Both candidates are struggling to connect with voters, with market vendor Rosalie Lourecal stating that she won't vote for either candidate. A poll shows Lula receiving 43% of the vote and Bolsonaro 40% in an expected runoff election, but both face rejection rates of over 50%.

Lula's campaign focuses on Brazilian sovereignty amid US tariffs and pressure from Trump, while Bolsonaro promises to be a more moderate version of his father. Bolsonaro has urged supporters to wear a t-shirt with his father's image at his rally in Rio de Janeiro.

Despite Brazil's economy showing signs of growth, poverty rates remain low, and many Brazilians feel they are not experiencing an improvement in their quality of life. Political science professor Mayra Goulart warns that Lula and Bolsonaro will need to reach disengaged voters to win the election, with women being a key demographic to target.