🔗 Share this article The Jim Gavin Exits from Irish Election Campaign With an unexpected announcement, a key main candidates in the Irish race for president has left the contest, upending the entire competition. Sudden Exit Reconfigures Election Dynamics The party's presidential hopeful pulled out on Sunday night following revelations about an unpaid debt to a previous occupant, turning the race into an unpredictable head-to-head battle between a center-right ex-minister and an autonomous progressive parliamentarian. The 54-year-old Gavin, a newcomer to politics who was parachuted into the race after careers in sport, aviation and the military, quit after it came to light he had failed to return a rent overpayment of over three thousand euros when he was a landlord about a decade and a half ago, during a period of financial difficulty. "I made a mistake that was contrary to my values and the expectations I hold. I am currently resolving the issue," he stated. "I have also thought long and hard, regarding the possible effects of the continuing election battle on the welfare of my loved ones and companions. "Taking all these considerations onboard, My decision is to step down from the presidential election contest with right away and rejoin my loved ones." Contest Reduced to Two Main Contenders The biggest shock in a political contest in modern times limited the options to one candidate, a past government official who is campaigning for the governing moderate right political party Fine Gael, and another candidate, an frank pro-Palestinian voice who is backed by a political party and left-leaning minor parties. Crisis for Leadership Gavin's exit also created turmoil for the prime minister and party head, the party chief, who had put his reputation on the line by choosing an unproven contender over the skepticism of associates in the party. The leader stated the candidate wished to avoid "bring controversy" to the presidency and was correct to step down. "Gavin recognized that he was at fault in relation to an matter that has come up lately." Political Difficulties Even with a track record of competence and success in enterprise and sports – Gavin had steered Dublin's Gaelic football team to five straight titles – his campaign had stumbled through gaffes that left him trailing in an public opinion measure even ahead of the debt news. Party members who had been against choosing Gavin said the fiasco was a "significant mistake" that would have "consequences" – a barely concealed caution to the leader. Ballot Process The candidate's name may remain on the ballot in the vote scheduled for October 24, which will end the 14-year tenure of Michael D Higgins, but voters now face a binary choice between a traditional center candidate and an independent leftwinger. Survey results prior to his departure gave 32 percent backing for Connolly and 23 percent for Humphreys, with Gavin on 15%. According to voting regulations, the electorate chooses candidates in order of preference. In case nobody reaches half the votes initially, the candidate with the least first preference votes is eliminated and their support is passed to the next preference. Likely Support Redistribution Observers anticipated that in the event of his exclusion, the bulk of his support would shift to the other candidate, and the other way around, increasing the likelihood that a establishment hopeful would attain the presidency for the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition. Function of the President The role of president is a primarily ceremonial position but incumbents and past holders transformed it into a stage for international matters. Remaining Candidates The 68-year-old Connolly, from her home city, would bring a strong leftwing voice to that tradition. Connolly has attacked free-market policies and stated Hamas is "part of the fabric" of the Palestinian community. She has charged NATO of promoting military solutions and compared the country's raised military budget to the 1930s, when the Nazi leader built up military forces. The 62-year-old Humphreys, has encountered examination over her record as a minister in administrations that managed a housing crisis. As a Protestant from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been questioned about her lack of Irish language skills but commented her religious background could aid in securing unionist community in a combined country.