| Electorate | Seats | Total Poll | Turnout | Valid Poll | Spoiled Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76,248 | 1 | 45,472 | 59.64% | 45,243 | 229 |
Vote Distribution
Left Right
| Candidate | 1 |
|---|---|
|
|
19698 |
|
|
10418 |
|
|
7349 |
|
|
3187 |
|
|
1893 |
|
|
1411 |
|
|
797 |
|
|
444 |
|
|
46 |
Democratic Unionist Party
Diane Forsythe was elected as an MLA for South Down in 2022, becoming the first female unionist to represent the area in the Assembly. Ms Forsythe has previously stood as a General Election candidate, finishing in third place in South Down in 2017 with 17.4% of the vote.
Sinn Fein
Chris Hazzard has been the MP for South Down since the 2017 General Election. Mr Hazzard was co-opted to the Northern Ireland Assembly at the age of 27 to replace Willie Clarke in 2012. He retained his seat in 2016 when he joined the Northern Ireland Executive as Infrastructure Minister. The former MLA was re-elected at Stormont in March 2017 and became an absentionist MP three months later, topping the poll again two years later.
Aontú
A teacher in Belfast, Rosemary McGlone contested last year's council election in the Slieve Croob DEA, saying that "as a human rights activist and a nationalist" she entered politics having been disappointed by Sinn Fein and SDLP stances on abortion.
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Colin McGrath has been an MLA for South Down since 2016, securing his seat again in 2017 and 2022. A former youth worker based in Downpatrick, he first entered politics in 2005 when he was elected to Down District Council, where he became the youngest ever chair.
Alliance Party
Andrew McMurray has only recently become an MLA, having been selected by Alliance to replace Patrick Brown, who unexpectedly stood down for personal reasons in April. Mr McMurray had previously been an Alliance councillor for the Slieve Croob area of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
Ulster Unionist Party
Describing himself as "a new face to political lampposts", Michael O'Loan grew up in Newcastle and has worked in international banking and the Prison Service.
Green Party
Declan Walsh ran in last year's council elections in the Downpatrick DEA, polling 117 first preference votes.
Traditional Unionist Voice
While a DUP politician, Jim Wells served as MLA for South Down from 1998 to 2022, before being deselected by the party. He later spoke out about his "deep hurt" at the way his political career with the DUP ended. He was Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety from 2014 to 2015 and has also served as a DUP councillor in Lisburn, Banbridge and Down. Mr Wells was previously a manager in the National Trust.
Conservatives
Hannah Westropp was a member of South Kesteven District Council in Lincolnshire, England between 2015 and 2023, having lived near Grantham for most of her life. She is an officer of Grantham and Bourne Conservative Association. Ms Westropp has also competed at a high level in event riding.
