Gay senator David Norris wins nomination for Irish presidency

Openly gay Irish senator David Norris has secured enough nominations to stand for president.

The independent politician won the support of Dublin city council last night and will run against six other candidates next month.

He said he was “absolutely thrilled” at the news.

Mr Norris 67, pulled out of the race in August over controversy surrounding a letter of support he had written for a former partner who was convicted of raping a 15-year-old boy.

But earlier this month, he announced he would stand after receiving a “consistent outpouring of public support”.

He told the Irish Times: “If I can make this kind of comeback I hope to God as president I’ll be able to help the country make the kind of comeback that it and its people deserve.”

The vote will take place on October 27th and Mr Norris is up against Labour’s Michael D Higgins, Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness and independent candidates Dana Rosemary Scallon, Mary Davis and Sean Gallagher.

If elected, Mr Norris will become the world’s first openly gay head of state.

• Dec 01 2023

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