Sinn Fein three to contest elections

Sinn Fein three to contest elections

9 December 2015

SINN Fein is to field three candidates in next year’s South Down Assembly election.

The party has chosen sitting MLAs Caitriona Ruane and Chris Hazzard to run alongside 30 year-old teacher Michael Gray Sloan from Rostrevor.

Two of the Sinn Fein candidates will be contesting their first elections next May. Mr Hazzard was co-opted to replace Newcastle man Willie Clarke at the Assembly in 2012 while Mr Gray Sloan is also facing his first election.

Ms Ruane, who has held an Assembly seat since 2003 and is looking forward to representing the constituency for a fourth successive term, said it was a “privilege” to be selected to represent the people of South Down. 

She explained she will be looking to build upon the experience she has gained over the terms of the past Assembly, including her role as Education Minister.

“Sinn Féin will be working hard to improve our mandate in the forthcoming Assembly election and standing on our record of fighting for equality and prosperity for the local community,” she said.

Ms Ruane added: ”Our team is committed to protecting the most vulnerable from the excesses of Tory welfare cuts and ensuring that we have a workable budget in order to bring economic prosperity to South Down.”

Mr Hazzard said he was “very honoured” to be selected to represent the party in the forthcoming Assembly election. He said if elected, he hopes to continue to offer a “first class constituency service to the people of South Down.”

He added: “I am very proud of our record of investment in South Down with more than £100m invested in new schools. Sinn Féin has selected a strong team for the Assembly and has invested £200m in the local farming and fishing industries. I look forward to working to attract more investment into the area.”

Mr Gray, who has been a Sinn Fein activist since he was 15, is a former member of the Ógra Shinn Féin national committee and hopes to bring this experience to the election team.

He added: “I am also a key player in the party’s campaign for marriage equality and the fight for equality with the LGB&T community.

“Sinn Féin will continue to be a leading voice in local health campaigns and will ensure the growth of tourism and industry in South Down does not outpace the need to protect our world-class natural environment.” 

Four years ago, Sinn Fein selected current Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman Naomi Bailie as its third South Down candidate. Ms Bailie, who is expecting her first child, was eliminated on the sixth count with 3,050 votes.