LAST UPDATE | 17 Aug 2025

FORMER FINE GAEL TD Heather Humphreys has confirmed that she is considering running to be the party’s nominee in the presidential election.

The decision comes in the wake of Mairéad McGuinness, Fine Gael’s first choice for the nominee, withdrawing from the race for health reasons after spending time in hospital.

McGuinness’ withdrawal has meant that Fine Gael will need to recommence its process of selecting a candidate from among its ranks to run as the party’s nominee in the election.

The Journal reported earlier this week that two of the top contenders were Humphreys and Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly.

Kelly confirmed yesterday that he is considering whether to run. Today, he upped his answer on the matter from saying that he “must reconsider it” in light of McGuinness’s announcement to “enthusiastically reconsidering” it.

He told Virgin Media News that he had been asked by many people around the country why he had ruled himself out of the running for the Fine Gael nomination on the first occasion.

Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly says he is “enthusiastically reconsidering” entering the presidential race. His comments come on the eve of a Fine Gael executive council meeting, following the shock departure of Mairead McGuinness from the contest.

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Humphreys has now also confirmed she is considering a run, according to the Sunday Independent, in comments made to the paper last night.

She said that in the days since McGuinness’ announcement, she has been “very humbled by the support from around the country both inside and outside of Fine Gael”.

“To tell you the truth, I’m giving a run very serious consideration,” she said.

“I’m using my time to speak to the people I trust and the people who know me best, both inside and outside politics, before I make a final decision.”

She also said that when she “heard the news earlier this week, my thoughts were with Mairead and her wellbeing, as well as her family”.

“I’ve been in touch with her and wish her a full recovery.”

Former Justice Minister and MEP Frances Fitzgerald, who ruled out contesting the Fine Gael nomination earlier this week, wrote in a social media post this morning that Humphreys would have her “full support” if she were to seek the party’s nomination.

Fitzgerald said her “great friend and colleague” would make “a fantastic president”.

Humphreys was a Fine Gael TD for Cavan-Monaghan from 2011 to 2024 until deciding not to run in the general election last year. She was appointed as the deputy leader of the party in April 2024 when Simon Harris took over as leader, and she held several ministerial positions from 2014 onwards.

Next steps for Fine Gael

The Fine Gael national executive team is meeting tomorrow to map out the party’s next moves to 

Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme this afternoon, Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty expressed her “gratitude and thanks” to McGuinness for her “long service” in politics.

Doherty said the national executive will meet to “assess where we are as a political party and to make decisions for the days and the weeks ahead in relation to the presidential election”.

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She said that “members are having conversations with each other about what our choices might be, and I think it’s a great position for Fine Gael to be in that we have choices”.

Doherty declined to say who she would back personally to be the nominee.

Asked about Humphreys’ popularity, Doherty acknowledged that a “lot of people have regard” for her, but added that Kelly also has a supporter base of his own.

Polling

A poll conducted by Ireland Thinks for the Sunday Independent asking respondents who they would vote for president out of a list of potential candidates put Humphreys as the most popular contender with 19%.

Left-wing candidate Catherine Connolly, the only candidate at present to formally have enough support to be on the ballot, followed close behind at 18%, well within the margin of error of 3.1%.

More than one-quarter (28%) of respondents said they didn’t know who they would vote for.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and former Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern – figures who have been the subject of speculation but have not declared an intention to run for president – both received 14% in the poll.

Millionaire Gareth Sheridan, who launched a campaign this week, received 3%, with businessman and former candidate Peter Casey also receiving 3%.