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Bacik to contest Dublin Central By-Election for Labour
Read more about: Dublin Central, Dublin South 
The Labour Party has announced that Senator Ivana Bacik will be seeking its nomination for the Dublin Central by-election.
This close to the close of nominations, it’s highly unlikely any other candidate will come forward (or be able to beat Bacik in a nomination contest).
Senator Pascal Donohoe of Fine Gael had been seen as the likely winner of this by-election (with Labour’s Alex White the favourite in Dublin South), but the entry of a high profile media-friendly candidate like Bacik into the race will put that at risk.
Labour now must have a real chance of winning both by-elections.
I am not sure I think the seats will go Donohoe/White. Not sure Bacik’s profile is really that strong outside the Irish Times readers. But i could be wrong. Make it less a forgone conclusion I guess.
Based on the constituency factors in both constituencies, as well as the national polls, whoever FG nominate in Dublin South will have to be considered the clear favourite while Bacik would be same Dublin Central.
White and Donohoe being favourites in their respective constituencies is primarily a factor of they being the only people out their clearly running for the seats. That will all have changed when Dublin South FG have their convention next week. On Bacik herself, I wonder about her appeal in Dublin Central. She would strike me as a better fit for Dublin South, but given the Labour and the general left wing vote in the constituency she should get home.
I worry about the Mary-Lou factor where a high profile left candidate with a solid local organsiation behind her was parachuted into the consitutency it didn’t quite go according to expectation. As the Cedar Lounge chart with regular clarity, it is a consumately local constituency with local players always doing best diespite the attraction of the constituency to high profile candidates.
It will be a fascinating race, to be sure, with a very strong Labour machine in the area thanks to the Costellos. Definitely upped the competition.
No mention of Maureen O’Sullivan? Throw in Christy Burke very closely related to Tony Gregory’s issues – There is going to be a split left vote all over the shop. Bet there are going to be Labour canvassers parachuted in from ladyboy land etc. (aka the southside) to canvass. That’ll be a learning for them! And no I don’t believe we eat our young here but it’s a fascinating constituency with a great history.
As an apartment dweller I’ve heard very little from anyone yet – (and this is not an invite for another bloody letter from David Geary using Deirdre de Burca’s envelopes talking to me about management companies.)
I await the Cedar analysis and I’ll be getting the popcorn on standby.
I wonder though will the Costello machine get behind Bacik with as much enthusiasm – It is very much a Costello machine
Also to Maman Poulet there are plenty of ladyboys on the Northside and some of those that you refer to have canvassed Dublin Central before
There are Leinster fans on the Northside?
Haven’t you ever heard of Clontarf?
She’s the confirmed candidate apparently as no one else sought the nomination prior to the 12.00 noon deadline today.