Holly Cairns: 'I look forward to becoming party leader and setting out my vision for the party'
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Cork South West TD Holly Cairns is set to become the next leader of the Social Democrats after confirming her intention to run.
Ms Cairns, who will run unopposed, said in a tweet this morning: "I’m excited to announce that I am putting myself forward to be the next leader of the Social Democrats."
In response, Jennifer Whitmore, the Wicklow TD, put her full support behind Ms Cairns. Ms Whitmore said the Cork TD would make "an incredible leader" for the Social Democrats.
The party's housing spokesperson Cian O'Callaghan said Ms Cairns "will be a fantastic leader and has my full 100% support". Dublin TD Gary Gannon had previously ruled himself out of the running.
Mr O'Callaghan told Newstalk on Sunday that Ms Cairns possesses the skills to become an effective leader and has an ability to connect with people including those who may be less interested in politics.
Nominations for the leadership close on Wednesday and with Ms Cairns having no opposition, she will become the first standalone leader of the party which was founded in 2015.
"I’m so grateful for the support of my colleagues in the parliamentary party and members of the Social Democrats all over the country. I’m blown away by the kind messages coming in from everywhere," Ms Cairns said.
"This was a big decision and I’m under no illusions about the challenges that lie ahead.
"But I am hugely ambitious for future of the Social Democrats and determined to build on the excellent foundations that have been laid by Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall.
"I look forward to becoming party leader on Wednesday and setting out my vision for the party."
The leadership contest was triggered after Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy announced on Wednesday that they will step down as co-leaders of the party.
Speaking at a press conference in Dublin, both women said they are not leaving politics and plan to context the next general election.
The reported last week that according to party sources, Ms Cairns has been approached internally about becoming the next leader and both Ms Shortall and Ms Murphy are happy with the move.
Ms Cairns has been a TD for Cork South-West since the 2020 general election.
She was a member of Cork County Council for the Bantry local electoral area from 2019 to 2020.