Geraldo_Alckmin

Geraldo Alckmin

Geraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin Filho (born in Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo, November 7 1952), or Geraldo Alckmin (pron. ) is a Brazilian politician, former governor of São Paulo and former candidate for president of Brazil in the 2006 Elections. He attended the Universidade de Taubaté's medical school, specializing in Anesthesiology, before going on to work in the São Paulo Public Service Hospital.

Political career

While still in his first year of medical school, Alckmin began his political career in 1972 when he was elected to the Pindamonhangaba city council (1973-1977), and then its mayor (1977-1982). At age 25, he was the youngest Brazilian mayor. He was elected a federal deputy for two terms, (1983-1987 and 1987-1994), distinguishing himself by authoring consumer protection laws. In 1988, he was one of the founders of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB).

He was elected vice governor of São Paulo, Mário Covas's running-mate first in the 1994 election and then again in 1998. With the death of Covas, he assumed the governorship of the state of São Paulo in March, 2001, he continued Covas' policies, investing in large, state-run projects, health and education programs. All of these investments were possible through privatization programs that sold off public and state-owned companies. He was elected governor on October 27, 2002 for the 2003-2006 term, with 12 million votes (or 58.64%). His current administration is marked by a reduction in the state payroll from 49% to 46% of the state's budget, the unification of purchasing systems and other "smart spending" initiatives, as well as the implementation of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

He is married to Maria Lúcia Ribeiro Alckmin and is the father of three children.

2006 Presidential Election

On March 14, 2006, PSDB nominated Alckmin as its candidate to Brazilian presidency. Because of electoral rules, no candidate running for office may currently be in an executive office, forcing him to resign the governorship on March 31, 2006. Cláudio Lembo, the lieutenant governor, finished Alckmin's term. Alckmin's party mate, José Serra, the PSDB's presidential standard-bearer who lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2002, then announced his candidacy to replace Alckmin in the 2006 state elections. Serra won the vote in Brazil's first round elections on October 1, 2006 and was elected as the governor of São Paulo.

Contrary to all major polls taken in the run-up to the October 1, 2006 balloting, Alckmin surprised almost everyone and came in second place in the presidential election. His 41.64% of the vote , along with votes cast for two, less significant candidates, as well as ballots that were left blank or spoiled, was enough to deny the simple majority necessary to re-elect incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (known by the nickname Lula) in the first electoral round. Lula and Alckmin faced one another in a run-off election on October 29, 2006, in which Alckmin actually lost votes in comparison to the first run, Lula was reelected the president of Brazil.