Sean Kelly Withdraws from Fine Gael Presidential Race Ahead of Deadline

URGENT UPDATE: Sean Kelly has officially withdrawn from the race to become the Fine Gael Presidential candidate, a move that reshapes the party’s leadership landscape just hours before the nomination deadline. This pivotal decision means that former Minister Heather Humphreys will now stand as the party’s candidate for the upcoming presidential election.

In a statement released earlier today, Kelly expressed his belief that a contested nomination would have been beneficial for Fine Gael, especially following the uncontested selections of Simon Harris and Mairead McGuinness in previous campaigns. However, as the clock ticks toward the noon deadline on September 2, 2025, Kelly announced he could not secure the necessary backing from 20 members of the parliamentary party to qualify for the ballot.

This withdrawal marks a significant shift in the political scene for Fine Gael and raises questions about the party’s strategy moving forward. Kelly thanked his supporters, whom he affectionately referred to as the “12 apostles,” along with grassroots members who encouraged him to run. His exit opens the door wide for Humphreys, who will be ratified as the candidate at a convention in the coming weeks, despite having announced her retirement from politics less than a year ago.

WHAT’S NEXT: With Humphreys now positioned as Fine Gael’s presidential candidate, all eyes will be on the upcoming convention where her nomination will be formalized. Observers are keen to see how this change will influence party dynamics and voter sentiment as the election approaches.

This development not only impacts Fine Gael but also sets the stage for a potentially transformative election cycle in Ireland. As the party prepares to rally around Humphreys, the implications of Kelly’s withdrawal will resonate across the political landscape. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.