ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the immediate runup to the election, the outcome and what it means for Brazil, and what tensions revealed in this election indicate for Brazilian democracy. Jair Bolsonaro also received widespread support from Brazil’s growing evangelical population, who tend to support his ultra-conservative social agenda. Brazil’s state of political polarization is worrying for more fundamental reasons. As the election neared, observers worried the result might rip Brazil apart: the winner would likely be Haddad, from the Party, a party toxic to many Brazilians on account of the Carwash political corruption scandal; or Jair Bolsonaro, a candidate himself toxic to many Brazilians on account of his political views.
