by Kate Heaney
AS the General Election edges closer, parties are preparing sooner rather than later to have their candidates in place and get campaigning underway.
Fianna Fáil have six candidates nominated to contest the party’s selection convention which is expected to select two candidates when the time comes, although no date is set as yet for the selection convention.
It is anticipated the General Election will be called either later this year or early in the new year.
The Donegal Constituency will elect five TDs.
Those nominated include Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, former TD and MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher, Senator Niall Blaney, sitting Councillors Donal Mandy Kelly and Michael Naughton and newcomer Ben Harkin of Termon Ogra.
Sinn Féin have yet to announce their nominees and it is anticipated they will run two, sitting TDs Pearse Doherty and Padraig MacLochlainn.
When they ran three candidates in 2016 Deputy MacLochlainn lost his seat he took in 2011.
Fine Gael are losing sitting TD and former Minister Joe McHugh who is leaving politics at the next General Election.
Traditionally Fine Gael would have run two candidates in the county.
The recent nomination of Nikki Bradley to Seanad Éireann by Taoiseach Simon Harris has fuelled rumours she will look to take Joe McHugh’s seat.
Who the party’s second candidate might be is only speculation at this stage.
It is anticipated Fine Gael will hold their selection convention in the next three months.
Whether or not the success of the 100% Redress Party leads to their nominating a candidate or two to stand in Donegal and bring their fight closer to the seat of power, remains to be seen.
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