Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns will not be contesting the upcoming presidential election, a party TD has confirmed – but the party has not ruled out running another candidate.
The clarification was made by Jen Cummins TD during an exchange with a Gript journalist this week, following speculation that Cairns might be preparing to launch a campaign.
“There was rumours that Holly was going to run, and we’re very flattered, you know what I mean, and she isn’t going to run,” she said.
“So just to say that.”
Dublin North-West TD Rory Hearne also said that while no final decision had been made, discussions around a potential candidacy had taken place.
“We in the Social Democrats have engaged and have been in terms of, you know, there’s been talks, but that’s in the public domain already,” he said.
“But we haven’t come to any position on it yet.”
Hearne also said that ongoing public anger around housing, mental health, and the cost of living could have a significant impact on the outcome of the election.
“There is huge anger and frustration,” he said.
“We have seen, you know, literally week after week stories come out in relation to how the housing figures were wrong, how they have completely, basically, driven us off a cliff in terms of that.”
He added that these issues may not have been fully reflected in the last general election, but could find expression in the presidential race.
“There is the real potential for a candidate that is not one of the government parties to win that election,” he said.
“There is ongoing frustration in relation to, you know, access to mental health services…The cost of living as well.”
The next presidential election is due to take place later this year, when the second term of current President Michael D. Higgins comes to an end. Higgins is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.
Although few formal candidates have been declared, several names have been floated publicly in recent months.
Among those who have officially declared interest in running are Independent candidate Nick Delehanty, businessman Peter Casey, MMA start Conor McGregor, an unnamed Fine Gael candidate, an unnamed Aontú candidate, former Fianna Fáil Minister Mary Hanafin, and more.
It’s also understood that Leftwing parties such as People Before Profit, Labour, and Sinn Féin are discussing whether or not to run a joint-Left candidate as an ideological successor to Michael D. Higgins. People Before Profit say they are enthusiastic about this idea, but Sinn Féin are currently debating within their party whether or not to run a candidate on their own, which will determine how the smaller Left parties proceed. A decision on that is due to be made next week.
Names that have been floated by commentators in this regard include Independent TD Catherine Connolly, and others. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has officially ruled himself out.
Other names have been thrown into the discussion in a speculative manner, such as former-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who in recent years rejoined Fianna Fáil as an official member, and repeatedly refused to rule out running for the Áras when asked by reporters.
In the 2018 presidential contest, businessman Peter Casey came in second place with 23% of the vote, following a campaign that drew widespread media attention for his remarks on immigration, welfare, and more.