Eduardo da Costa Paes (Brazilian Portuguese: [eˈdwaʁdudɐˈkɔstɐpɐjs], born 14 November 1969) is a Brazilian politician who served as mayor of Rio de Janeiro from 2009 to 2017, and again from 2021 to 2026. On 12 August, at the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, he took the Olympic Flag, via Jacques Rogge, from London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Paes was a trenchant critic of the Lula administration, particularly during the Mensalão scandal in 2005 over alleged payments to congresspeople for votes. When it came to his administration as Rio de Janeiro's mayor, scandals continued to occur.

As mayor during the bid, preparation and execution of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, Paes faced many challenges, balancing the demands and opportunities of the Olympics with the needs of the Cariocas (the people of Rio de Janeiro).

Paes ran unsuccessfully for Rio de Janeiro state governor in 2018. He was elected for a third term as Rio de Janeiro mayor in 2020, defeating incumbent Marcelo Crivella in the run-off. Despite being elected mayor as a member of the Democrats in 2020, Paes joined the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in 2021, starting a movement for other politicians connected to the mayor to affiliate themselves to the party.

Eduardo Paes resigned as mayor on 20 March 2026 to run for governor of Rio de Janeiro State.

Personal life

Paes, a Catholic, is married to Cristine; they have two children.

Electoral history

ElectionPartyOfficeCoalitionRunning mateFirst roundSecond roundResults
Votes%Votes%
1996 Rio de Janeiro municipal election[pt]PFLCity councilor—N/a—N/a82,418(#1)—N/a—N/aElected
1998 Rio de Janeiro state election[pt]Federal deputyGoverno de Verdade (PFL, PPB, PTB)—N/a117,1641.65 (#5)—N/a—N/aElected
2002 Rio de Janeiro state election[pt]Federal deputyTodos pelo Rio (PFL, PMDB, PSDB)—N/a186,2212.31 (#5)—N/a—N/aElected
2006 Rio de Janeiro state election[pt]PSDBGovernor—N/aMaria Estela Kubitschek[pt] (PSDB)440,4845.33 (#5)—N/a—N/aLost
2008 Rio de Janeiro municipal election[pt]PMDBMayorUnidos pelo Rio (PMDB, PP, PTB, PSL)Alberto Muniz (PMDB)1,049,01931.98 (#1)1.696.19550.83 (#1)Elected
2012 Rio de Janeiro municipal election[pt]MayorSomos Um Rio (PRB, PP, PDT, PT, PTB, PMDB, PSL, PTN, PSC, PPS, PSDC, PRTB, PHS, PMN, PTC, PSB, PRP, PSD, PCdoB, PTdoB)Adilson Pires (PMDB)2,097,73364.60 (#1)—N/a—N/aElected
2018 Rio de Janeiro state electionDEMGovernorForça do Rio (DEM, PPS, PSDB, PP, PTB, MDB, SD, PV, DC, PHS, AVANTE, PMN)Comte Bittencourt (PPS)1,494,83119.56 (#2)3,134,40040.13 (#2)Lost
2020 Rio de Janeiro municipal electionMayorA Certeza de Um Rio Melhor (DEM, PL, Cidadania, DC, PV, Avante, PSDB)Nilton Caldeira (PL)974,80437.01 (#1)1,629,31964.07 (#1)Elected
2024 Rio de Janeiro municipal electionPSDMayorÉ o Rio Seguindo em Frente (PSD, PDT, PSB, PT/PCdoB/PV, Avante, Solidariedade, Agir, PODE, PRD, DC)Eduardo Cavaliere (PSD)1,861,85660.47 (#1)—N/a—N/aElected

External links

Political offices
Preceded byCésar MaiaMayor of Rio de Janeiro 2009–2017Succeeded byMarcelo Crivella
Preceded byMarcelo CrivellaMayor of Rio de Janeiro 2021–2026Succeeded byEduardo Cavaliere
Party political offices
Preceded byLuiz Paulo Corrêa (1998)PSDB nominee for Governor of Rio de Janeiro 2006Most recent
Preceded byLuiz Paulo CondePMDB nominee for Mayor of Rio de Janeiro 2008, 2012Succeeded byPedro Paulo
Preceded bySolange Amaral (2002, as PFL)DEM nominee for Governor of Rio de Janeiro 2018Most recent
Preceded byRodrigo Maia (2012)DEM nominee for Mayor of Rio de Janeiro 2020Most recent