‘Please come out and vote’: Heather Humphreys confident she can close poll gap

Heather Humphreys ended her campaign in Sligo and Donegal, urging voters to back her as polls tighten

Presidential candidate, Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys, speaks to Republic of Work CEO Frank Brennan, during campaigning for the Irish presidential election in Co Cork. Picture: Noel Sweeney/PA Wire

Presidential election candidate Heather Humphreys has urged people to vote for her on Friday, striking an optimistic tone that she can close the gap in the polls.

On the final day of campaigning, Ms Humphreys visited Sligo and Donegal to rally support.

Her engagements included a fireside chat at the Irish Country Living Women and Agriculture Conference.

Speaking to the media afterwards, she appealed to voters for their support.

“There's two choices in this election,” Ms Humphreys said.

“There's myself or the other candidate. I know there's three on the ballot paper, but there's only two choices, myself or Catherine.

“What I'm saying to the voters today is, please, first of all, come out. Don't waste your vote. Don't allow somebody else to speak for you.

“The second thing is, I'm asking people to support me because I represent middle Ireland, pro European, pro business and common sense.

“I'm saying to the people of Ireland, please come out tomorrow and give me your number one vote, please.

“I’m saying it to the good people in Fianna Fáil, good people in the Labour Party who are supporting me, the people in the Green Party that are supporting me, and especially to the independents across this country who have committed their support for me, please, please come out tomorrow and vote number one for Heather Humphreys.” 

When asked about the widening gap between herself and Ms Connolly in the latest Business Post poll and whether she believed she could turn it around, Ms Humphreys remained upbeat.

She said: “I'm confident that when the people go into the ballot box tomorrow that they will support me for the person that I am.

“For the centre ground, pro European. I will not say things about our European neighbours.

“I will work with them. I will work with our US friends, and I will work across this globe to support Irish businesses and to represent Ireland, both culturally and diplomatically on the world stage.” 

Ms Humphreys met Mary Martin, the Taoiseach’s wife, at the Irish Country Living Women and Agriculture Conference, where Mrs Martin was also speaking.

When asked if she was seeking Mrs Martin’s vote, Ms Humphreys said she was “asking everyone to lend me their vote.”

Later, Ms Humphreys joined Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris for a canvass on Quay Street in Sligo.