This article aims to analyze the determinants of political career patterns among federal deputies elected by the State of São Paulo (Brazil) for the 49th (1991-1995) -53rd (2007-2011) legislatures. By using statistical techniques such as chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression, this article concludes that: i) exit of political life is associated with the levels of electoral concentration and local competitiveness, as well as with the parliamentary behavior; ii) success in re-election campaigns is associated with the accumulation of political capital, with the parliamentary behavior and with partisan loyalty; and iii) success in mayoral campaigns is associated with the level of local electoral competitiveness.
political career; federal deputy; Chamber of Deputies; reelection; political strategy
