There’s a presidential election coming up.
It’s on Friday, October 26. Six candidates are running – here’s everything you need to know about them.
Michael D Higgins
What’s his background?
Michael D Higgins is an academic, politician, and current president of Ireland. He joined Ireland’s Labour Party in the 1960s and sat in the Dáil between 1987 and 2011.
He also served as a senator in the 1980s.
Higgins has been the president of Ireland since 2011 after running as a Labour candidate. He is running as an independent this time.
Why is he running?
Higgins says that his track record of “wisdom and respect” should be present in a president.
In his presidential pitch, he says that he wants to help Ireland reach its full potential and to continue reaching out to communities and emigrants around the world.
Higgins is running as an independent candidate.
He is currently polling at 66 percent preference according to the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll.
Michael D Higgins gives his presidential pitch in 60 seconds or less pic.twitter.com/oQ8SVF6zAP
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 7, 2018
Liadh Ní Riada
What’s her background?
Liadh Ní Riada is a producer, director, and Sinn Féin politician who has served as a member of the European Parliament since 2014.
During her MEP campaign, she focused on child poverty and rural regeneration in Ireland.
Why is she running?
Ní Riada says that she wants to be president to discuss issues such as the housing crisis.
In her presidential pitch, she says that she wants to represent a changed Ireland and “stand up for the ordinary people.” She also expressed her hope for a united Ireland in the future.
Ni Riada is running as a Sinn Féin candidate.
She is currently polling at 11 percent preference according to the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll.
Liadh Ní Riada gives her presidential pitch in 60 seconds or less pic.twitter.com/29KTzb7lA7
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 7, 2018
Joan Freeman
What’s her background?
Joan Freeman is the founder of suicide intervention charity Pieta House, a psychologist, and mental health activist.
She was nominated for the Seanad by former Taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2016 and has served as a senator since May of that year.
Freeman is also the chairperson of Ireland’s first committee on mental health and a former member of the Council for Justice and Peace of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Why is she running?
Freeman says that she wants to be president to build the “heart and compassion” of the Irish people.
She also says that her work with Pieta House and her attention to mental health awareness makes her a suitable candidate for the job.
In her presidential pitch, she suggests that she has the “resilience, determination, grit, and of course energy” to be the next president.
Freeman is running as an independent candidate.
She is currently polling at 5 percent preference according to the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll.
Joan Freeman gives her presidential pitch in 60 seconds or less pic.twitter.com/hN9FE0L3s1
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 7, 2018
Gavin Duffy
What’s his background?
Gavin Duffy is a businessman and entrepreneur, who in the past worked with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil as an advisor.
He is best known for his role as a ‘Dragon’ on Dragon’s Den.
Why is he running?
Duffy says that he should be president because he has spent his life mentoring people to help them achieve their full potential. Duffy says that he wants to do the same for Ireland.
In his presidential pitch, he says that he is “ambitious for Ireland” and urges the public to vote for somebody who can maintain good diplomatic relations with the UK once they leave the European Union.
Duffy is running as an independent candidate.
He is currently polling at 4 percent preference according to the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll.
Gavin Duffy gives his presidential pitch in 60 seconds or less pic.twitter.com/KPvft67SXh
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 7, 2018
Peter Casey
What’s his background?
Peter Casey is a businessman and investor who founded and currently runs global recruitment firm Claddagh Resources.
He is best known for his role as a ‘Dragon’ in Dragon’s Den.
Why is he running?
Casey, who currently lives in Atlanta, says that he wants to be president to connect the Irish diaspora with the Irish back home.
In his presidential pitch, he said that he wants to use “technology” to make this happen. Casey stated previously that he was willing to spend up to €750,000 during his presidential campaign.
Pavee Point recently called on Casey to drop out of the presidential race following his offensive comments about the travelling community.
He is yet to comment on the matter.
Casey is running as an independent candidate.
He is currently polling at 2 percent preference according to the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll.
Peter Casey gives his presidential pitch in 60 seconds or less pic.twitter.com/vICzAbzsQ6
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 7, 2018
Sean Gallagher
What’s his background?
Sean Gallagher is a business man and TV personality who was an active member of Fianna Fáil for 30 years between 1981 and 2011. He finished second in Ireland’s last presidential race, securing 28.5 percent of first preference votes.
He is well known for his role as a ‘Dragon’ on Dragon’s Den.
Why is he running?
Gallagher says that he wants to be president because he has overcome adversity and that he wants Ireland to overcome adversity too.
In his presidential pitch, he says that Ireland has “put ’em under pressure” and “soared above giants in Croke Park.” He also states that Irish people like to wear their county colours and that he wants his children, Bobby and Lucy, to grow up healthy and happy.
Gallagher is running as an independent candidate.
He is currently polling at 12 percent preference according to the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll.
Seán Gallagher gives his presidential pitch in 60 seconds or less pic.twitter.com/ftD8mfhE64
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 7, 2018
