Barry Cowen chosen for FF 'Euro' candidacy as Mayo senator awaits HQ decision
Fianna Fáil has selected Barry Cowen TD to represent the party in the Midlands-North-West constituency for the upcoming European elections.
The Laois-Offaly TD was voted by party members to run for the June elections at a party convention in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, tonight.
Senator Niall Blaney, Senator Lisa Chambers and Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher had been nominated for selection.
On close of nominations Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher had withdrawn.
The result of the first count was Barry Cowen 894; Niall Blaney 803; and Lisa Chambers 570.
The outcome of the second and final count was Cowen 1,142, and Blaney 1,071.
Last month sitting Dublin MEP Barry Andrews and Cork MEP Billy Kelleher were selected to run for the party in the Dublin and Ireland South constituencies respectively.
Speaking following his selection, Deputy Cowen said: “It is a great honour and privilege, and I’m most delighted, to be endorsed by this organisation to fight to win back a seat that has been out of this constituency for too long.
“We will work as hard as we possibly can to ensure Fianna Fáil wins back a seat in the Midlands-North-West. I’m delighted that party members have seen fit to endorse me.”
Deputy Cowen added: “In the coming weeks and months we will make a huge effort to take the seat.
"It will be the precursor possibly for a general election in the autumn or next spring. It is imperative we create the sort of momentum that will allow us to be in a position to make an impact, to make a mark, locally, nationally and in Europe.”
Commenting, Fianna Fáil Director of the European Elections, Minister Darragh O'Brien TD, said: “Fianna Fáil members have tonight voted to select Barry Cowen as their candidate for the European Elections in the Midlands-North-West constituency.
“Deputy Cowen has a proven track record as a dedicated and committed Parliamentarian and will, if elected, represent Fianna Fáil as a strongly pro-European candidate in the Parliament.”
“I look forward to canvassing with Deputy Cowen over the coming weeks and months. I also want to pay tribute to both Senator Niall Blaney and Senator Lisa Chambers who put themselves forward for convention and ran excellent campaigns.”
The party's HQ is expected to add a second candidate later this week to run in the Midlands North West constituency.
Until then, Senator Chambers must wait to find out her fate.