A recent opinion poll indicates that Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys is currently leading in the race for the presidency, reports RTE.
The Red C poll, conducted on behalf of the Business Post, places her at 22%, followed closely by Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin, who is polling at 18%.
Catherine Connolly, the Independent candidate backed by the left, is reported to be in third place with 17%, reports RTE.
However, a significant 36% of respondents did not express a preference for any of the candidates.
The survey revealed that 29% of those identifying as Fianna Fáil voters said they would give their first preference to Heather Humphreys, reports RTE.
By contrast, only 12% of Fine Gael supporters indicated they would give a first preference vote to Jim Gavin.
Red C interviewed a randomly selected sample of 1,003 adults aged 18 and over, between September 4th and 9th.
The margin of error for the poll is plus or minus 3%, reports RTE.
Peter Casey, who ran in the 2018 presidential election, secured 6% in the poll, while conservative commentator Maria Steen received 5%.
Two other Independent candidates, Nick Delehanty and Gareth Sheridan, received support of 4% and 2% respectively, reports RTE.
A portion of the polling was completed before Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald withdrew her name from consideration, and before Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher lost the nomination to Jim Gavin.
Ms McDonald had been polling at 21%, just a single point behind Heather Humphreys, reports RTE.
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