Sinn Féin selects Declan Kearney to defend South Antrim Assembly seat in 2027

Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill MLA and Declan Kearney MLA

Tuesday 22 September 2026

Sinn Féin has selected Declan Kearney to contest South Antrim in next year’s Northern Ireland Assembly election, with the sitting MLA seeking to retain the seat he has held since 2016.

Kearney’s candidacy was announced at a party selection event at the Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim on Tuesday evening, as Sinn Féin begins preparing for the combined Assembly and council elections on 6 May 2027.

The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland has confirmed that both elections are scheduled to take place on the same day, meaning voters will elect their MLAs and local councillors in a single trip to the polls.

South Antrim MLA since 2016

Kearney was first elected as a South Antrim MLA in May 2016 and was returned at subsequent Assembly elections in 2017 and 2022. He currently sits on the Assembly’s Committee for the Economy.

At the 2022 Assembly election, Kearney secured 9,185 first-preference votes and was elected on the first count. South Antrim returns five MLAs.

Speaking following his selection, Kearney said:

“I am honoured to have been selected to stand again for Sinn Féin in the 2027 Assembly election.

“I have had the honour and privilege of being an MLA here in South Antrim since 2016.

“With the Assembly and council elections taking place on the same day next year, our ambition must be to add to those numbers and further strengthen Republican representation across South Antrim.

“Our politics are positive and forward looking.

“We are working for better healthcare, decent homes, stronger local economies and greater opportunities for our young people.

“We are standing up for our towns, villages and rural communities and supporting workers and families struggling with the cost of living.

“This election is an opportunity to return a stronger Sinn Féin team, ready to deliver for workers, families and communities.”

O’Neill says election is about the future

Sinn Féin vice-president and First Minister Michelle O’Neill also addressed the selection event, describing Kearney as a representative who “works hard every day to deliver for workers, families and communities” in South Antrim.

She said:

“He is steadfast in his commitment to the people of this constituency and the work he has done over many years in this area is testament to that.

“Next May, voters will go to the polls here in the North.

“These elections are crucial.

“They are about the future.

“They are an opportunity to stand up against those who want to drag us back to the past, who want to slow down and frustrate progress.

“In this election we can show that change in the North is unstoppable.”

Kearney sets out political dividing lines

Kearney criticised political unionism in South Antrim during his selection speech, particularly over its approach to equality, Irish-language and cultural rights, and what he described as “progressive change”.

He said:

“When we look at the leading voices of political unionism in South Antrim, we see that there is often very little separating them when it comes to resisting equality, Irish-language and cultural rights, and progressive change.

“Sinn Féin will stand firm against every attempt to take us backwards in South Antrim and across the North.

“Our politics must be positive and forward looking and about the future we are determined to build.

“A future in a new and united Ireland.”

The selection formally puts Kearney into the contest to retain Sinn Féin’s representation in the five-seat constituency. With the Assembly and council elections both scheduled for Thursday 6 May 2027, parties are expected to continue confirming candidates across South Antrim in the months ahead.