Sao Paulo

Gilberto Kassab was re-elected for a new term as Mayor of the city of São Paulo; Kassab’s office will go from January 1st 2009 through December 31st 2012.

Kassab was elected in 2004 as vice-Mayor of the then winner candidate Jose Serra. In 2006, Serra ran for the Government of the State and won; as Serra took the office of Governor, Kassab took office as Mayor.

Kassab is affiliated with the Party Democratas (Democrats), one of the most conservative (right wing) in Brazil (Democratas used to be called PFL, Party of the Liberal Front). Kasseb’s opponent in the second round of the elections was Marta Suplicy, candidate by powerful Party of Workers, the party of President Lula; despite ostensive presence of the President in the campaign, Kassab won by a margin of 61% of valid votes against 39% for Marta.

Kassab was born in 1960, and graduated in Engineering and Economy at the University of Sao Paulo. Kassab was elected in 1989 to Councilman of the city, then had offices as State Representative and Federal Representative.

The most controversial incident during the campaign occurred when Mrs. Suplicy suggested that voters should ask themselves whether Kassab was married or had children.

Many people then learned that Kassab was never married and is not married. Despite rumors, Kassab neither confirmed nor denied to have a male partner. Kassab said that his personal life was not in discussion. The voters of São Paulo agreed with him, and gave him a massive victory in the elections.