Workers’ Party roots grow in Brazilian community
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In 1978, Father Roque Steffen of Porto Alegre, Brazil, ran for state deputy as part of the MDB, and residents of the Lomba do Pinheiro neighborhood, including the Franciscan friar Selvino Heck, supported his campaign.
This marked the beginning of political engagement for many in the area. Following this experience, people in Lomba do Pinheiro organised a local branch of the Workers’ Party (PT) in 1980, initially meeting in Heck’s home then at the home of José Carlos Pintado.
In 1982, the newly formed PT nominated several local workers and community leaders as candidates in Viamão and Porto Alegre. Zé da Lomba ran for mayor of Viamão, while Ana Godoy, a community leader, campaigned for a seat on the Porto Alegre city council. Though the PT faced challenges running in the midst of a military dictatorship, and with no elections for governor, president, or capital city mayors.
It elected one city councillor in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Ana Godoy served as his substitute and took office multiple times. Ana Godoy believed political participation extended beyond voting, and urged workers to remain active and challenge the idea that Parliament was reserved for an educated elite. She wrote about the need for poor communities to have representation and for politicians to understand the daily struggles of residents.
The PT consistently performed well in Lomba do Pinheiro, thanks to the work of community groups and grassroots organizing. Heck now challenges members of the PT to secure victory in the 2026 elections.
