SINN Féin is targeting two seats in the South Belfast and Mid Down constituency in next year's Assembly election.
This evening the party announced that Deirdre Hargey MLA and Pat Cullen MP will be its candidates.
Speaking at the candidate launch at the Ivanhoe Hotel on Tuesday evening, Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill said: “Next May, we have the opportunity to make history by electing two Sinn Féin MLAs in the new constituency of South Belfast and Mid Down.
“Deirdre Hargey and Pat Cullen are two outstanding candidates for Sinn Féin. They know what it takes to lead and to get things done.
“They are a formidable team, and they will bring their strong leadership, their experience, and their determination to South Belfast and Mid Down.
"Sinn Féin has grown hugely in this constituency and now Sinn Féin can win two seats in South Belfast and Mid Down.
“We are ambitious, we are confident, and we are moving forward in this constituency.
“We can send a clear message in the next election that attempts by unionist leaders to bring us back to the past and block progress will not succeed.
“Together, we can seize the opportunity to elect the strongest Sinn Féin team yet to the Assembly.”
Speaking after the launch, sitting South Belfast MLA Deirdre Hargey said: “I am honoured to have been selected again for next year's Assembly election. I will continue to stand up for workers, families and communities, and to make sure their voices are heard.
“In the last election, Sinn Féin secured a record vote in this area. We now have the opportunity to build on that support and elect two Sinn Féin MLAs for South Belfast and Mid Down.
“Every vote will count next May. This election is an opportunity to endorse Sinn Féin’s strong and confident leadership, and our vision for the future.“
Pat Cullen, who is currently the MP for Fermanagh-South Tyrone, said: “I have spent my life standing up for our health service and the people who work in it.
"First as a nurse, then as the leader of the Royal College of Nursing, working every day for a better health service for all our people.
“I know what it takes to lead, to stand up for people and to get things done.
“Together, let’s make history. Let’s make it two Sinn Féin MLAs in this constituency.”
