Maria Steen has received the backing of 10 TDs and Senators to run for the Presidency.
Maria Steen has emerged as the preferred candidate of a group of Oireachtas members who have yet to back any contender for the presidency. At a caucus meeting of 11 TDs and senators, organised by Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, Steen secured the support of 10.
The meeting also heard pitches from telecoms businessman Declan Ganley and barrister, activist Nick Delehanty, and Lorna McCormack, but it was Steen who came out on top in the internal vote. She described herself as more confident of her prospects following the endorsement and said she believes she can secure the backing of at least another 10 members.
“I feel confident that I’m certainly in a better position to get to 20 [nominations],” she told the media outside Leinster House.
If that is achieved, she intends to withdraw her name from consideration in the council route, clearing space for others to pursue nominations through that process.
However, she said she would continue pursuing the council route as well until she had secure a nomination, because she didn’t want to “count my chickens before they’ve hatched”.
To contest the presidential election, candidates must secure the support of either 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities.
In a social media post, Declan Ganley conceded the pseudo-primary, urging voters to “get on board the Steen Machine.”
“Ireland needs a President that is from outside the ‘bubble’, a President who has fought the good fight on the side of the people and won, a President with the dignity and grace to represent our country as our head of state,” he wrote.
“A President who will be a guardian of the constitution without fear or favour. A President who will represent Irish families, our values, our concerns. A President for all of Ireland.
“There is one person who stands out above all that will rise to the duty, occupy the office with the dignity our country deserves. That is President Maria Steen. Please get on board the Steen Machine.”
Meanwhile, Independent TD Carol Nolan, who was one of the Oireachtas members who nominated Steen, welcomed the level of backing she receives.
“I am delighted to confirm that Maria Steen has garnered the support of 10 oireachtas members, including myself,” Nolan said.
“Maria made a powerful and persuasive presentation. I will now work toward ensuring that we get Maria over the line and onto the ballot paper!”
Aontú leader Peadar Toibín similarly welcomed the development.
“I am pleased to announce that Maria Steen has been successful in winning the nomination caucus for the Presidential Election today,” he said.
“She received commitments for nominations from 10 TDs and Senators. Maria is half way to the magic number.”
Steen is a barrister, conservative campaigner and long-time member of the Iona Institute. A devout Catholic and mother of five homeschooled children, she has also trained as a Montessori teacher. She is best known for her role in the ‘No’ campaigns during the 2015 marriage referendum and the 2018 Eighth Amendment referendum, opposing abortion.
Most recently, she was a leading figure in the ‘No/No’ side during last year’s Family and Care referendums, and clashed with then Tánaiste Micheál Martin in one of the televised debates in the run up to that vote.
Those already confirmed for the ballot include Catherine Connolly, an Independent TD from Galway, Heather Humphreys for Fine Gael, and Jim Gavin for Fianna Fáil. Sinn Féin has yet to decide whether to field a candidate, though party leader Mary Lou McDonald has ruled herself out.
Tóibín has argued that the race risks becoming one-dimensional, with two government candidates and a single left-wing Independent currently assured of a place on the ballot. He has said Steen’s candidacy would widen the scope of the debate and give voice to values otherwise excluded.
Other independents, such as businessman Gareth Sheridan, are still attempting to secure a nomination to run, though Sheridan was not in attendance at the caucus meeting today.
The presidential election will take place later this year, when incumbent President Michael D. Higgins’ second and final 7-year term will come to an end.