With Brazil’s da Silva in jail, his region’s vote in doubt

This May 4, 2018 photo, shows an aerial view of the Brasilia Teimosa slum, that was urbanized under an initiative of Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. The neighborhood was transformed from a dangerous slum into a modern beachfront area during Da Silva’s second term. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

In this May 3, 2018 photo, men play soccer on a beach of the Brasilia Teimosa slum that was reformed, improved and urbanized under an initiative of Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. Social programs and strong economic growth under da Silva helped change the daily reality for millions. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

In this May 4, 2018 photo, Jorge Ferreira shows a photo combo, of the old and new Brasilia Teimosa slum, that was urbanized under an initiative of Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. The neighborhood was transformed from a dangerous slum into a modern beachfront area during Da Silva’s second term. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

In this May 3, 2018 photo, a group of men talk on a sidewalk in the Brasilia Teimosa slum that was urbanized by an initiative of Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. A booming economy under da Silva’s 2003-2010 governments, which included hikes to the minimum wage and several social welfare programs, helped many of the country’s poor. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

This May 5, 2018 photo, shows a view of the replica of the birth home of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Garanhuns, Pernambuco state, Brazil. To many in his hometown, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is a hero who pulled millions from poverty and who deserves to be elected to lead Brazil once again this year. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

In this May 5, 2018 photo, Eraldo dos Santos stands inside a replica of the birth home his cousin, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Garanhuns, Pernambuco state, Brazil. Da Silva's family moved from Garanhuns to the southwest state of Sao Paulo, the country's industrial center, when he was 7 years old. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

GARANHUNS, Brazil — To many in his hometown, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is a hero who pulled millions from poverty and who deserves to be elected to lead Brazil once again this year. Yet so far, nobody has yet put up posters or banners to promote him in this city of almost 140,000 people, part of a region that will be pivotal in deciding the next leader of Latin America’s largest nation.

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