Gaillimh Ogbu! and other thoughts on Irish by-elections;

Maine, Texas US Senate races; the years keep flying past

by Larry Donnelly

By-elections for seats in Dáil Éireann (lower house of Irish parliament) were held on May 22 in the Dublin Central constituency and in what is possibly the Irish territory readers of this publication are most familiar with, Galway West.  As voting day approached, it became apparent that Councillor Daniel Ennis of the centre-left Social Democrats would win in the capital and that it would be a battle between Senator Seán Kyne and Councillor Noel Thomas on the Atlantic coast.

And that’s how it panned out in the end.  Ennis prevailed comfortably and Kyne outlasted Thomas when it came to the transfers of first and lower preference votes under the proportional representation system utilised here.

Kyne, whose party has been in government for many years now, pulled off a rare feat in that by-elections are typically cruel to politicians whose parties are in power.

Although it is a mistake to extrapolate excessively from what are known as special elections in the United States, there are a few things worth noting.  First, it was an undeniably bad day for the main opposition party, Sinn Féin.  That status would suggest that they should have triumphed in at least one contest. It is clear that they have simultaneously lost a lot of their working class, nationalist core, who have gravitated rightward, and younger leftists, dismayed by Sinn Féin’s subtle nods in a more conservative direction on issues such as immigration and the environment, who have defected primarily to the Social Democrats.  There is even internal grumbling within the former political wing of the IRA about their leader, Mary Lou McDonald.

Second, it was worse for Fianna Fáil, whose candidate in Dublin garnered merely 4 percent in the area that used to be dominated by its stalwart, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who actually attracted more notice than the councillor who was running in the wake of unfortunate comments on immigration for which he has offered a partial apology. And in another heartland across the country, their youthful aspirant, Councillor Cillian Keane, failed to reach double digits.

Third, signs that the right may finally be rising were in evidence.  Ireland has, to date, largely rejected the messaging of candidates who, explicitly or implicitly, seek to capitalise on anti-immigrant feelings.  But in Galway West, Thomas, who once asserted that “the inn is full,” came close to a victory and is well-positioned to make it to Leinster House in the next general election.

And in Dublin Central, the combined tally of alleged crime boss Gerard “The Monk” Hutch and Councillor Malachy Steenson indicates that one of them could easily be elected if they stand again when there will be more than one seat available in the locality.  Hutch called for “illegals” to be interned at the Curragh military camp in Co. Kildare until their situation is resolved.  For some time, Steenson has been a virulent campaigner on the subject.

Lastly, on quite a different note, the Nigerian-born Galway City Councillor, Helen Ogbu, surprised nearly everyone with a solid third place showing.  Ogbu got an excellent vote from her friends and neighbours in the City of the Tribes and fared respectably beyond its boundaries.  If she runs, as seems guaranteed, in the general election when it is called, she could very well become the first person of colour in Ireland’s parliament.  Her backers have a genius slogan building on the Gaillimh Abú (Up Galway!) cry heard when the county’s footballers and hurlers are on the pitch: Gaillimh Ogbu!  She is one to watch.

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Stateside, with the midterms looming, most observers believe that the Democrats will gain control of the US House of Representatives.  There are questions about the upper chamber; it is a big hill for them to climb, but the GOP could be in trouble.  The dynamics of two races that could tell the tale – in Maine and in Texas – are fascinating.

The Democratic contenders are hailed by their adherents as brightly shining lights in a new generation of progressives, more than capable successors to a, frankly, elderly cadre, a number of whom have hung on longer than they should have.  Indeed, Graham Platner and James Talarico have positive attributes and are very popular with a good-sized segment of Americans.

That said, each has significant political weaknesses that his opponent will endeavour to exploit.  The Marine Corps veteran Platner’s Nazi-themed tattoo and repeated, repulsively misogynistic comments from the not entirely distant past didn’t harm him as he battled Maine Governor Janet Mills to be the nominee.  Yet the adroit incumbent, Susan Collins, has survived strong challenges previously and will make hay of the skeletons in Platner’s closet.

In Texas, Talarico’s chances have definitely been boosted following President Donald Trump’s endorsement of the, to put it euphemistically, ethically challenged state attorney general, Ken Paxton, over sitting Senator John Cornyn.  Paxton, who was already ahead, defeated him handily, aided by Trump’s imprimatur.

Talarico frequently cites his deep Christian faith in order to maximise his appeal beyond the Democratic Party faithful.  A just released attack ad highlights his vulnerabilities, however. It reveals, in Talarico’s own words, his views that God is non-binary, that there are six biological sexes, that there should be a giant welcome mat on the southern border and the fact that he has had to reckon with his whiteness and masculinity.  These sentiments are anathema to many Texans, a healthy chunk from the vital demographic of Latinos among them.  Yes, Talarico could manage an upset, but against that, Texas is still Texas.

•••

I have lamented the swift passage of time here before, but it is hitting me hard of late.  This May marked three decades since my graduation from Holy Cross.  It is 27 years since I completed my law degree and sat the bar exam.  I have been in Ireland for the guts of a quarter century.

Larry Óg is a happy teen and is growing like a weed.  My stepson is 27.  My pals’ children are starting to graduate from college. I will be 52 in November, an age I once deemed ancient.

Of course, aging beats the alternative.  Yet life really should have a pause button that can be pushed intermittently.  All we can do, I guess, is enjoy it and continually give thanks for what we have.  And at the moment, that is the beautiful, blue sky conditions this country has been graced with for a few days after months of unsettled, often lousy weather.

I hope readers have a great summer.  For some of you who are lucky, that may include a trip back “home” to Ireland.  I’d love to promise that the sun will shine on you, but I can’t!

Larry Donnelly is a Boston born and educated attorney, a Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and a regular media commentator on politics, current affairs and law in Ireland and the US.  Twitter/X: @LarryPDonnelly