🔗 Share this article The Candidate Pulls Out from Irish Election Campaign With an unexpected announcement, one of the main candidates in Ireland's presidential election has quit the campaign, dramatically altering the entire competition. Withdrawal Announcement Reconfigures Campaign Landscape Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin pulled out on Sunday night following revelations about an outstanding payment to a former tenant, transforming the race into an volatile two-horse race between a centre-right past cabinet member and an autonomous progressive legislator. Gavin, 54, a inexperienced candidate who entered the election after professional experiences in sports, airline industry and defense, quit after it came to light he had failed to return a overpaid rent of 3,300 euros when he was a property owner about 16 years ago, during a period of monetary strain. "It was my fault that was not in keeping with who I am and the principles I uphold. I am currently resolving the issue," he stated. "After careful consideration, concerning the influence of the ongoing campaign on the welfare of my relatives and acquaintances. "Weighing all these factors, My decision is to step down from the presidential election contest with immediate action and rejoin my loved ones." Contest Reduced to Two Main Contenders The biggest shock in a election race in recent history limited the options to Heather Humphreys, a past government official who is representing the governing moderate right Fine Gael party, and another candidate, an frank pro-Palestinian voice who is backed by Sinn Féin and small leftwing opposition parties. Problem for Leader Gavin's exit also triggered a crisis for the prime minister and party head, the party chief, who had staked his authority by selecting an untried candidate over the doubts of fellow members. He commented it was about not wanting to "cause dispute" to the presidency and was justified in leaving. "He acknowledged that he was at fault in relation to an issue that has arisen in recent days." Election Challenges Despite a reputation for skill and accomplishments in business and sport – under his leadership the Dublin football squad to five consecutive championship victories – his campaign had stumbled through missteps that caused him to fall behind in an public opinion measure even prior to the financial revelation. Individuals within Fianna Fáil who had objected to picking Gavin said the episode was a "significant mistake" that would have "ramifications" – a thinly veiled warning to Martin. Election Rules The candidate's name may remain on the ballot in the poll taking place in late October, which will conclude the lengthy term of Michael D Higgins, but people must choose between a binary choice between a traditional center candidate and an autonomous progressive. Opinion research conducted ahead of the withdrawal gave Connolly 32% support and 23 percent for Humphreys, with 15 percent supporting Gavin. As per election guidelines, people pick candidates in order of preference. In case nobody reaches 50% on the first count, the contender receiving the lowest first preference votes is excluded and their votes are transferred to the next preference. Likely Support Redistribution It was expected that in the event of his exclusion, the bulk of his support would shift to the other candidate, and conversely, boosting the chance that a pro-government candidate would win the presidential office for the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition. Presidential Duties The role of president is a primarily ceremonial position but Higgins and his predecessors made it a venue for worldwide concerns. Remaining Candidates The 68-year-old Connolly, from Galway, would bring a strong leftwing voice to that tradition. She has criticized free-market policies and remarked Hamas is "a fundamental element" of the Palestinian people. She has accused Nato of militarism and likened the country's raised military budget to the 1930s, when Adolf Hitler rearmed the country. The 62-year-old Humphreys, has been subjected to review over her record as a minister in administrations that managed a housing crisis. A Presbyterian from the border county of Monaghan, she has also been faulted for her lack of Irish language skills but stated her Protestant heritage could assist in gaining loyalists in the North in a reunified nation.