Mayo TDs reveal presidential candidate preferences in Áras race
Fine Gael TDs Alan Dillon and Keira Keogh endorse Heather Humphreys as their preferred candidate for Presidential election
Mayo Fine Gael TDs Alan Dillon and Keira Keogh have announced their support for Minister Heather Humphreys as she seeks the party’s nomination to contest the upcoming presidential election.
There has been growing speculation in recent days and weeks on who Minister Dillon and Minister Keogh's party would put forward to contest the race to be the tenth occupant of Áras an Uachtaráin.
The withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness due to medical grounds left a vacuum, with MEP Sean Kelly also signalling his desire to represent the party on the ballot paper.
"Delighted to support Heather Humphreys as she seeks the Fine Gael nomination to run for President," a statement from Minister Dillon read.
"A strong, grounded leader who connects with people across all divides, she’d make a fantastic President and has my full support."
Meanwhile, a post on Deputy Keogh's Instagram also backed Ms Humphreys to run for the presidency.
"Our next president must be a unifier; someone who will bring the country together. Someone who is rooted in rural Ireland. Someone who understands everyday people.
"Heather Humphreys ticks all those boxes. I'm proud to endorse her to be the Fine Gael nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, and I'm looking forward to getting out and supporting her."
Heather Humphreys has plenty of experience in politics, having served as Minister for Social Protection as well as Minister for Community Development.