Heather Humphreys Faces Uphill Battle Ahead of Polling Day

As the clock ticks down to polling day on July 15, 2023, Heather Humphreys is in a race against time to turn around her faltering campaign, with political analysts declaring it would take a “minor miracle” for her to beat rival candidate Catherine Connolly. Newstalk Political Correspondent Seán Defoe emphasizes the urgency as the latest opinion polls reveal Connolly leading with a commanding 38% of first preference votes, compared to Humphreys’ 20%.

With just hours remaining before voters head to the polls, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The most recent data from the Irish Times shows that 5% of respondents would vote for Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin, who has withdrawn from the race. Meanwhile, 12% of voters are undecided, 6% plan to spoil their ballots, and 18% have no intention of voting at all.

If these numbers hold on polling day, Connolly would be declared Uachtarán na hÉireann-Elect immediately, having secured over half the votes. Defoe describes Connolly as the firm favorite, stating, “The gloves are very firmly off as the race enters its final days.” He notes that the Fine Gael camp is scrambling to strategize against Connolly’s lead, with intensified attacks on her record as a barrister.

“I think it would require a minor miracle for Heather Humphreys to overcome [Ms Connolly’s poll lead],” Seán Defoe stated.

Despite being the Fine Gael candidate, Humphreys has seen a surge of support from former Fianna Fáil politicians following Gavin’s exit from the race. Key endorsements from An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and several cabinet members from the Brian Cowen era have attempted to bolster her campaign in these crucial final days.

However, Defoe warns that the political climate is markedly different from previous elections, with voter apathy overshadowing traditional party loyalties. “A lot of people don’t know who they’re going to vote for, or whether they’re going to vote at all,” he explained.

With a pivotal television debate scheduled for tomorrow night, Humphreys’ team sees this as their last opportunity to sway undecided voters. Defoe speculates that such debates can often change the momentum of an election, especially among those who may not have been closely following the campaign.

As the campaign enters its final hours, all eyes will be on how Humphreys navigates this uphill battle against Connolly. Voter turnout and the impact of last-minute campaigning will be critical as counting begins on Saturday.

Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds and the fate of Ireland’s next president hangs in the balance.