Maria Steen Misses Out on Presidential Race After Falling Short on Nominations


Conservative campaigner Maria Steen has confirmed she will not appear on the ballot for next month’s presidential election, after falling just two nominations short of the required 20 from members of the Oireachtas.

The race, scheduled for October 24th, will now feature just three candidates:
  • Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael)
  • Jim Gavin (Fianna Fáil)
  • Catherine Connolly, running as an Independent with the backing of Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and the Green Party.

A Narrow Miss​

Ms Steen had secured 18 signatures by the midday deadline, despite a late push from her campaign. Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy confirmed his support on Wednesday morning, but further attempts to reach the threshold were unsuccessful.

Supporters had hoped Independent Senators, including Michael McDowell, might provide the final nominations. Their refusal drew criticism from Steen’s backers, with Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín accusing Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and “so-called Independents” of “pulling up the ladder” to block her entry.

Steen: “Voters Denied Real Choice”​

Speaking outside Leinster House, Ms Steen thanked the 18 parliamentarians who nominated her:

“Some supported me because they believe in my campaign, others because they believe the people — not an elite clique — should decide who can run. I am grateful to them all.”

She said her campaign had revealed a strong appetite for an alternative candidate:

“While I’m honoured to have received 90% of the required signatures, it was not enough. I entered this race to give voters a real choice. The public response confirms there is a hunger for an alternative — but sadly, that hunger will now go unsatisfied. Rarely has the political consensus seemed more oppressive or detached from the wishes of the people.”

Calls for Reform​


Independent Ireland, which supported Steen’s bid, described the process as “an affront to democracy” and has begun drafting legislation to make access to the ballot more open. Party leader Michael Collins said the current system gives “far too much power to too few people.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, speaking in New York at the UN General Assembly, dismissed those claims.

“Those who can garner a significant breadth of support are the ones who ultimately get selected as candidates. It’s extraordinary that people who criticise Fianna Fáil now expect us to support their nominee.”

Smallest Field in 35 Years​

With Steen failing to make the cut, this year’s contest will be the smallest presidential field in over three decades, leaving voters with a three-way race for the Áras.
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