Brazil's right had a strong night in its biggest state. São Paulo Gov. Tarcísio de Freitas won a second term outright in Sunday's first round, taking 62.65% of valid votes to 36.42% for Fernando Haddad of President Lula's Workers' Party, according to Agência Brasil and Folha de S.Paulo. Because he passed 50%, he avoids a runoff.

São Paulo voters also elected two senators from the right, Guilherme Derrite with about 30.6% and André do Prado with about 29.3%, G1 reported. Derrite served as Tarcísio's public security secretary, and G1 said he received more votes than any Senate candidate in Brazil's history. Folha reported that Tarcísio also set a record for a São Paulo governor's race.

The result matters well beyond São Paulo. The state has about 46 million people and produces about a third of Brazil's economy. A big win there gives conservatives momentum heading into the Oct. 25 presidential runoff between Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula.

Tarcísio, a former infrastructure minister under Jair Bolsonaro, was long seen as a possible presidential candidate himself. He chose to seek re-election as governor after the Bolsonaro family backed Flávio for president. Many analysts expect him to be a leading figure on the right for years.

Haddad's defeat is a blow to Lula's camp. He served as Lula's finance minister and ran for president in 2018, losing to Jair Bolsonaro. His wide loss in São Paulo shows how hard the state has become for the left.

Some background: São Paulo has long leaned to the center-right in governor's races, but it is also where Lula built his career as a union leader in the 1970s and 1980s. Brazilians elected governors, senators and members of congress on Sunday along with the first round of the presidential race.

Lula's campaign now faces a tough task: winning back voters in the southeast before the runoff.

What we know: Tarcísio won about 63% and avoided a runoff.
What we don't: How much his win will help Flávio Bolsonaro on Oct. 25.