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In a stunning development, one of the main candidates in the Irish race for president has withdrawn from the campaign, dramatically altering the political landscape.

Sudden Exit Shakes Up Campaign Landscape

The party's Jim Gavin withdrew on Sunday night following revelations about an outstanding payment to a past renter, converting the election into an volatile two-horse race between a center-right ex-minister and an non-aligned left-leaning legislator.

Gavin, 54, a newcomer to politics who was parachuted into the race after careers in athletics, flying and armed forces, stepped aside after it came to light he had failed to return a excess rental payment of €3,300 when he was a landlord about 16 years ago, during a period of monetary strain.

"I made a mistake that was contrary to my values and the standards I set myself. Corrective actions are underway," he declared. "I have also thought long and hard, concerning the influence of the continuing election battle on the health of my family and friends.

"After evaluating everything, I have decided to withdraw from the race for the presidency with immediate effect and go back to my family."

Contest Reduced to Primary Hopefuls

A major surprise in a political contest in recent history narrowed the contest to one candidate, a former cabinet minister who is campaigning for the governing moderate right political party Fine Gael, and another candidate, an vocal advocate for Palestine who is backed by Sinn Féin and minor progressive groups.

Problem for Leader

Gavin's exit also created turmoil for the prime minister and party head, the party chief, who had staked his authority by selecting an inexperienced hopeful over the reservations of party colleagues.

Martin said the candidate wished to avoid "create turmoil" to the office of president and was right to withdraw. "Jim has accepted that he was at fault in relation to an situation that has come up lately."

Political Difficulties

Although known for competence and success in enterprise and sports – under his leadership the capital's GAA team to five straight titles – his campaign had stumbled through blunders that left him trailing in an survey even ahead of the debt news.

Individuals within Fianna Fáil who had opposed selecting Gavin said the episode was a "major error in judgment" that would have "consequences" – a barely concealed caution to Martin.

Voting System

Gavin's name may stay on the voting paper in the vote scheduled for October 24, which will conclude the lengthy term of President Higgins, but the electorate now confronts a binary choice between a traditional center candidate and an independent leftwinger. Survey results prior to his departure gave Connolly a third of the vote and Humphreys 23%, with Gavin on 15%.

According to voting regulations, the electorate chooses contenders based on preference. Should no contender surpass a majority in round one, the contender receiving the lowest initial choices is eliminated and their support is passed to the following option.

Potential Vote Transfers

Observers anticipated that in the event of his exclusion, most of his votes would go to Humphreys, and conversely, increasing the likelihood that a establishment hopeful would win the presidential office for the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition.

Role of the Presidency

The presidency is a mostly representative role but Higgins and his predecessors turned it into a platform on global issues.

Final Contenders

Connolly, 68, from Galway, would bring a strong leftwing voice to that tradition. She has assailed free-market policies and said the organization constitutes "an integral component" of the Palestinian community. She has charged Nato of militarism and compared Germany's increased defence spending to the pre-war era, when Adolf Hitler rearmed the country.

Humphreys, 62, has faced scrutiny over her performance in government in governments that presided over a housing crisis. As a Protestant from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been questioned about her inability to speak Irish but stated her religious background could aid in securing unionist community in a reunified nation.