Elisa Araújo, reelected mayor of Uberaba (MG), is an example of how idealism and determination can transform the political landscape. With a trajectory marked by the courage to face challenges, Elisa not only won the hearts of voters in 2020, but also consolidated her leadership by winning again in 2024.

“I got into politics because of my idealism,” says Elisa. “Since I was 14, I participated in social actions and groups that worked on citizenship. Over time, I realized that I could do more than comment and criticize. With this spirit of citizenship, I made myself available to the community. I started with only 2% of the voting intentions, but the truth I conveyed won the trust of the population.”

Fight against corruption and transparency as flags

When Elisa decided to enter politics, she found an environment full of distrust. “We had a very bad political scenario, with figures without credibility and involved in corruption. One of my main causes was to fight this with integrity and transparency,” she says.

She implemented pioneering measures, such as a decree that allows the Public Prosecutor's Office direct access to the city's systems. “If you owe it, don't be afraid. We brought maximum transparency to the government. We also regulated issues such as nepotism, receiving gifts and made the managers' agendas public. It is a relationship of trust with the population and the oversight bodies.”

Modernization of public administration

Coming from the private sector, Elisa brought an innovative governance model to public management. “Public administration is often run in an old-fashioned way, because ‘it’s always been that way’. We brought good governance practices with the support of Rede Governança Brasil, which helped us structure efficient and professional management”, she explains.

During her first term, Elisa began implementing digital government, a tool that connects departments, indicators and information to improve administrative efficiency. “We already have a solid foundation for the second term. We want to offer a single channel for citizens to present their demands, optimizing public service and management.”

Quick responses in critical moments

Elisa took office as mayor in 2021, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and faced the challenge of balancing emergency measures and long-term planning. “Our initial focus was on saving lives. We conducted a complete diagnosis of the administration, which revealed a fragmented structure. This motivated us to modernize the government and implement structural changes,” she highlights.

One of Elisa’s greatest achievements was in the area of children’s health. “As a mother, I understand the anguish of waiting hours for care when our children get sick. Uberaba only saw children at a single philanthropic hospital, with waits of up to eight hours. After the pandemic, we rushed to solve this. We opened an exclusive children’s emergency care unit, which we affectionately call UPA Infantil, offering complete and humanized care.”

Participatory management and the future of Uberaba

Another hallmark of Elisa’s administration is participatory government. “We left the office and went out onto the streets to listen to people. This active listening makes all the difference when it comes to developing public policies. Our government plan was developed with the community, and our responsibility is to ensure that it comes to fruition,” she explains.

For her second term, Elisa plans to consolidate administrative modernization and invest in health, education and infrastructure. “We want to transform Uberaba into a reference for governance and quality of life. Our goal is to offer more efficient public services and ensure that people are proud to live here.”

Elisa also hopes that her administration will inspire future generations. “I want to leave a legacy for the children and young people of Uberaba, showing that it is possible to conduct politics with integrity and results. That, 50 years from now, the population will be able to look back and recognize this moment as a turning point in the history of our city.”

Re-elected with broad approval, Elisa Araújo reaffirms her commitment to Uberaba: “I love my city and I believe it can be even better. My mission is to transform challenges into opportunities, working efficiently, transparently and, above all, caring for people.”