Ricardo Nunes

Ricardo Luis Reis Nunes (born 13 November 1967) is a Brazilian businessman and politician currently serving as mayor of São Paulo, since 2021. A member of the Brazilian Democratic Movement, he previously served as vice mayor and councillor of the city.

Nunes entered politics when he was elected as a city councilor for the first time in 2012, becoming famous for chairing a commission that investigated tax evasion in the city, in addition to lobbying for amnesty for irregular religious temples and defending conservative agendas. Elected for a second term in 2016, he was chosen by then-mayor Bruno Covas to be part of his victorious ticket in the 2020 municipal election as his vice mayor.

After Covas' death on May 16, 2021, he assumed the position of mayor of the city. Allying with former president Jair Bolsonaro, he was elected in his own right in the 2024 municipal election, defeating Guilherme Boulos in the second round. Nunes has also chaired the since 2023.

In addition to politics, Nunes is a businessman and owner of a pest control company that disinfects imported and exported cargo at Brazilian ports and airports.

Nunes studied Law at Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas (FMU), but, in debt, he dropped out of the course so he could work. While serving as a member of the Municipal Assembly, Nunes held positions on legislative inquiry committees such as a committee on banks, in 2019, which investigated tax evasion of social security services in the state capital.

In 2016 he supported amnesty of churches in irregular situation during zoning laws.

Covas died on 16 May 2021, and therefore Nunes permanently assumed office for the remainder of the term. He was elected in his own right as mayor in the 2024 São Paulo mayoral election.