Newry SDLP Councillor Michael Savage has thrown his hat in the ring and has sought the nomination for the Assembly election in 2022.
Michael Savage, who ran for the party in the last Westminster Election, has paid tribute to outgoing South Down MLA Sinead Bradley who has announced she is to step back from frontline politics.
Cllr Savage said: “I am very sorry to hear that Sinead is stepping back from frontline politics. The Bradley name is synonymous with public representation and service in South Down, and Sinead has represented the people of this constituency with integrity, compassion, commitment and hard work and she is a big loss to the benches of the Assembly.
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“I know this decision would not have been easy for Sinead, but I totally respect her decision and wish her every success for the future away from the political limelight but I have no doubt her wisdom and guidance will be called upon in the months and years to come.
“I can confirm that I have put my name forward to seek the nomination to run as an SDLP Candidate for South Down in the forthcoming Assembly Elections and I have put in my signed nomination papers required for the selection process.”
Cllr Michael Savage secured 14,517 votes for the SDLP at the 2019 Westminster Election.