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With an unexpected announcement, one of the leading hopefuls in the Irish election for president has quit the campaign, upending the election dynamics.

Withdrawal Announcement Reconfigures Election Dynamics

The party's presidential hopeful pulled out on Sunday night following revelations about an financial obligation to a former tenant, turning the race into an uncertain two-horse race between a center-right ex-minister and an non-aligned left-leaning legislator.

The 54-year-old Gavin, a political novice who joined the campaign after professional experiences in sport, aviation and the military, quit after it was revealed he had failed to return a rent overpayment of 3,300 euros when he was a lessor about in the mid-2000s, during a period of monetary strain.

"I made a mistake that was inconsistent with who I am and the standards I set myself. Corrective actions are underway," he said. "Reflecting deeply, concerning the influence of the current political contest on the welfare of my relatives and acquaintances.

"Weighing all these factors, I have decided to withdraw from the presidential election contest with immediate action and rejoin my loved ones."

Race Narrowed to Two Main Contenders

A major surprise in a political contest in recent history narrowed the contest to Heather Humphreys, a ex-minister who is running for the governing moderate right Fine Gael party, and Catherine Connolly, an frank pro-Palestinian voice who is endorsed by Sinn Féin and left-leaning minor parties.

Problem for Leader

Gavin's exit also triggered a crisis for the leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, who had put his reputation on the line by nominating an untried candidate over the skepticism of fellow members.

He commented Gavin did not want to "create turmoil" to the presidency and was correct to step down. "He acknowledged that he committed a mistake in relation to an situation that has arisen in recent days."

Election Challenges

Even with a track record of competence and success in business and sport – under his leadership the capital's GAA team to five consecutive championship victories – his election effort faltered through gaffes that put him at a disadvantage in an opinion poll even prior to the financial revelation.

Fianna Fáil figures 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

The candidate's name may still appear for selection in the election on 24 October, which will end the 14-year tenure of the current president, but the electorate now confronts a binary choice between a traditional center candidate and an independent leftwinger. A poll taken before Gavin's exit gave Connolly a third of the vote and 23 percent for Humphreys, with Gavin on 15%.

Under electoral rules, voters select contenders based on preference. Should no contender surpass half the votes initially, the candidate with the least first preference votes is removed and their ballots are redistributed to the following option.

Possible Ballot Shifts

It was expected that if Gavin was eliminated, most of his votes would go to Humphreys, and conversely, enhancing the possibility that a establishment hopeful would secure the presidency for the allied parties.

Role of the Presidency

The presidency is a primarily ceremonial position but the current and former presidents transformed it into a platform on global issues.

Final Contenders

The 68-year-old Connolly, from her home city, would bring a strong leftwing voice to that legacy. She has assailed free-market policies and said Hamas is "part of the fabric" of the Palestinian community. Connolly has alleged NATO of promoting military solutions and compared the country's raised military budget to the pre-war era, when Germany underwent rearmament.

Humphreys, 62, has been subjected to review over her time in office in cabinets that oversaw a property shortage. A Presbyterian from the border county of Monaghan, she has also been criticised over her lack of Irish language skills but stated her Protestant heritage could assist in gaining Northern Ireland's unionists in a combined country.