Manuela d'Ávila Loses Senate Race in Rio Grande do Sul
Listen to the story
Manuela d'Ávila has lost her race for a Senate seat in Rio Grande do Sul, a southern state in Brazil.
The result came during the 2026 elections, which decided several important political positions across the country.
In Rio Grande do Sul, there were many candidates competing for two available Senate seats.
According to reports, the contest was especially close this year.
In the end, Sanderson and Marcel Van Hattem were the two candidates who won seats in the Senate.
d'Ávila, who has been a well-known political figure in Brazil, was unable to secure enough votes.
The Senate is one of the two main parts of Brazil's national legislature, alongside the Chamber of Deputies.
Senators are responsible for creating and approving laws that affect the entire country.
Each state in Brazil elects its own senators, and voters in Rio Grande do Sul had several names to choose from this election cycle.
The news summary also mentioned a full list of all candidates who ran for the Senate in this state during the 2026 elections.
While specific vote totals were not included in the available report, the race was described as tightly contested.
This means the difference between winning and losing candidates was likely small.
d'Ávila's loss marks a notable moment in her political career, though no further details about her future plans were provided in the source material.
Brazilian elections often draw significant public attention, as Senate seats carry six-year terms and significant influence over national policy.
Vocabulary11 words
- result
- the final outcome of something
- candidates
- people trying to win an election
- contest
- a competition between people
- political figure
- a person known for work in politics
- legislature
- the group that makes a country's laws
- voters
- people who choose in an election
- totals
- the full numbers added together
- career
- a person's long-term work path
- policy
- a plan or rule set by government
- secure
- to successfully get something
- term
- a fixed period of time in a job
Quiz
Answer key
1. She lost her race for a Senate seat 2. Sanderson and Marcel Van Hattem 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Manuela d'Ávila has lost her race for a Senate _____ in Rio Grande do Sul, a southern state in Brazil.
The _____ came during the 2026 elections, which decided several important political positions across the country.
In Rio Grande do Sul, there were many _____ competing for two available Senate seats.
According to reports, the _____ was especially close this year.
In the end, Sanderson and Marcel Van Hattem were the two candidates who won seats in the Senate.
d'Ávila, who has been a well-known _____ in Brazil, was unable to secure enough votes.
The Senate is one of the two main parts of Brazil's national _____, alongside the Chamber of Deputies.
Senators are responsible for creating and approving laws that affect the entire country.
Each state in Brazil elects its own senators, and _____ in Rio Grande do Sul had several names to choose from this election cycle.
While specific vote _____ were not included in the available report, the race was described as tightly contested.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Senate elections are important for a country?
- What qualities do you think make a good political candidate?
- How might a close election result affect public trust in the outcome?
- What challenges might a well-known politician face when running for office again?
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