SAO PAULO, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Just 10 days before the election, Sao Paulo mayoral hopeful Jose Serra has a hefty lead over incumbent Marta Suplicy, Folha de Sao Paulo reports.
According to Datafolha pollsters, Serra is leading with 51 percent while Suplicy -- hailing from Brazil's ruling left-wing Workers' Party, or PT -- has 41 percent.
The poll queried 1,789 voters Thursday and has 2 percentage point margin of error. The candidate from the center-right Social Democratic Party has enjoyed a 10 point or more lead over Suplicy for weeks following the first round of elections at the beginning of the month.
The Sao Paulo race has gained national attention in recent weeks due to the severity of the verbal volleys the candidates have exchanged in print and during live, televised debates.
It's also a contest of particular interest to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as a win for Suplicy would further solidify the PT's political might in Brazil's most populous state and create momentum for his 2006 re-election bid.
Other federal lawmakers take keen interest in the municipal races as well since politicians at the local level often act as vote brokers in federal elections.
