Selma Arruda Explained

Selma Arruda
Office:	Senator for Mato Grosso
Term Start:	1 February 2019
Term End:	15 April 2020
Birth Name:	Selma Rosane Santos Arruda
Birth Date:	20 January 1963
Birth Place:	Camaquã, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Party:	PL (Since 2022)
Otherparty:	PSL (2018–2019)PODE (2019–2022)
Occupation:	Politician, judge
Website:	www.juizaselmaarruda.com.br

Selma Rosane Santos Arruda (born 20 January 1963) is a Brazilian politician and retired judge. Although born in Rio Grande do Sul, she has spent her political career representing Mato Grosso, having served as state senator in 2019.^[1]

Judicial career

Arruda is an alumnus of the Centro Universitário Ritter dos Reis. She served as a state judge in the state of Mato Grosso from 1995 to 2017.^[2] Arruda gained fame and notoriety as a judge for her anti-corruption campaign, earning her the nickname "the Moro of Mato Grosso" after Sergio Moro, the head judge of Operation Car Wash.^[2] In 2015 she ordered the arrest of former governor  Silval Barbosa on corruption charges.^[2]

She retired from judicial office in March 2017 after serving as a judge for 22 years.^[3] In May 2019 Arruda was awarded the order of merit by the city council of Cuiabá for her fight against corruption.^[4]

Political career

In the 2018 Brazilian general election Arruda, along with Jayme Campos, was elected to the national senate from the state of Mato Grosso. Arudda was the most voted candidate in the state of Mato Grosso that election.^[5] Strong themes of Arruda's senate campaign agenda included anti-corruption and encouraging private property.

On 10 April 2019 Arruda was unanimously ordered to be dismissed by the Regional Electoral Court of Mato Grosso, rendering her ineligible to serve in public office along with state deputies Gilberto Possamai and Clerie Fabiana. However, the senator can still appeal to the Superior Electoral Court without having to leave the office, while the conviction is questioned judicially. Selma and the others were accused of breaking campaign rulers by hiring irregular advertising before the official campaign began.^[6] Arruda said she will appeal the decision in the federal courts.^[7] On 10 December 2019 by the vote of 6 to 1, the Superior Electoral Court voted to disqualify Arruda from political office.^[8]

On 18 September 2019 Arruda switched political parties and joined Podemos.^{[9] [10]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Juiza Selma Arruda 170 (PSL) Senador - Mato Grosso - Eleições 2018. Gazeta do Povo. Portuguese. 8 October 2018. 3 July 2019.
2. Web site: Chamada de 'Moro de MT', juíza relata rotina protegida por 9 seguranças. André. Souza. G1 Globo. 24 March 2017. 3 July 2019. Portuguese.
3. Web site: Após 22 anos na magistratura, juíza Selma Arruda ingressa com pedido de aposentadoria. Jessica. Bachega. Hipernotícias. 23 March 2017. 3 July 2019. Portuguese.
4. Web site: Selma Arruda é homenageada na Câmara de Cuiabá. 20 May 2019. 3 July 2019. Portuguese. O Roncador. Redação.
5. Web site: Juíza Selma Arruda (PSL) e Jayme Campos (DEM) são eleitos senadores por MT. 7 October 2018. 3 July 2019. Portuguese. G1 Globo.
6. Web site: TRE cassa mandato de senadora do PSL. O Antagonista. 10 April 2019. 3 July 2019. Portuguese.
7. Web site: TRE-MT cassa Selma Arruda e suplente por caixa 2 e abuso de poder econômico e determina nova eleição. Pollyana. Araújo. G1 Globo. 11 April 2019. 3 July 2019. Portuguese.
8. Web site: Por que a senadora Selma Arruda, a 'Moro de Saias', foi cassada. BBC Brazil. André. Shalders. 11 December 2019. 23 December 2019. Portuguese.
9. Web site: 'Moro de saias', Selma Arruda se filia ao Podemos. André. Siqueira. Veja. 18 September 2019. 17 October 2019. Portuguese.
10. Web site: Senadora Selma Arruda deixa o PSL e se filia ao Podemos nesta 4ª. Metrópolis. Fabiola. Testi. 17 September 2019. 17 October 2019. Portuguese.