The South Down branch of Sinn Féin have selected three candidates to represent the party for the Assembly elections in May 2016.
Making an appearance at the hustings at an event in the Thierafurth Inn in Kilcoo last Wednesday
Sitting MLA’s, Chris Hazzard and Caitríona Ruane will be joined on the ticket by Michael Gray-Sloan from Rostrevor, who is to stand for the party for the first time.
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Sinn Féin has announced their three candidates for the South Down May 2016 Assembly election: from left, Michael Gray-Sloan, Caitriona Ruane and Chris Hazzard.[/caption]
Chris Hazzard said: “I am very honoured to be re selected to represent the party in the forthcoming Assembly election. If re-elected I hope to continue to offer a first-class constituency service to the people of South Down.
“I am very proud of our record of investment in South Down with more than £100m invested in new schools. And Sinn Féin has selected a strong team for £200m to work with the local farming fishing industries and look they forward to working to attract more investment into the area.”
Caitríona Ruane is looking forward to representing South Down for a fourth successive term, a seat that she has held since 2003.
Ms Ruane said: “It is a privilege to be selected to represent the people of South Down. I will be looking to build upon the experience I have gained over the terms of the past Assembly, including my role as Education Minister.
“Sinn Féin will be working hard to improve our mandate in the forthcoming Assembly election and standing on our record of fighting for equality and prosperity for the local community.
“Our team is committed to protecting the most vulnerable from the excesses of Tory welfare cuts and ensuring that we have a workable budget in order to bring economic prosperity to South Down.
Joining Chris and Caitriona will be Michael Gray Sloan, a 30-year old teacher from Rostrevor.
Third candidate Michael Gray Sloan said: “I have been a Sinn Féin activist since the age of 15, and a former member of Ógra Shinn Féin national committee, and I hope to bring this experience to the team.
“I am also a key player in the party’s campaign for marriage equality and the fight for equality with the LGB&T community.
“Sinn Féin will continue to be a leading voice in local health campaigns and will ensure that the growth of tourism and industry in South Down does not outpace the need to protect our world-class natural environment.”
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