Killian Mangan to run as Independent candidate in General Election
Killian Mangan is running as a progressive candidate for Waterford.
Waterford's Killian Mangan will run as an Independent candidate in the upcoming General Election.
The Butlerstown local ran as a Rabharta candidate in the 2024 local elections for Tramore-Waterford City West, coming 8th out of 17 candidates.
For the impending election, Killian is running on a platform of 'Democratisation, Decentralisation, and Decarbonisation', with a focus on capital funding and Déise representation in Government.
He stated: "For years, we have tried sending TDs to Dublin in order to beg for funding for specific projects, and this approach has overwhelmingly failed. Apart from a handful of catchy headline projects, Waterford continues to be left further and further behind overall.
He continued: "In my General Election campaign, I am proposing a radical and positive alternative; working with other pro-localism and progressive people across the country to push for democratisation of local government and decentralisation away from Dublin.
"By changing the system to empower our local and regional politics, we can ensure that workers and carers in communities in Waterford can thrive and that decision-makers are more accountable to us."
Killian moved back home to Waterford after years abroad living and working in Scotland and Barcelona and getting involved in tenants' and worker's rights organisations.
Since returning home, Killian has been working in local community organisations, including work a communications officer for CATU Waterford (Community Action Tenants Union) and in anti-racist coalition 'Waterford For All'.
He continued: "Our country continues to be one of the most centralised countries in the OECD, and decades of underfunding and centralisation pushed by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have stopped Waterford from reaching its full potential. Like so many who grew up here, I left in search of a better quality of life and learned a lot from my time in Barcelona and Scotland.
"I find it devastating that so many of those my age feel the need to leave their home in Waterford in search of a better life and thriving communities, but I am determined to stop this trend and to work collectively to build a better Waterford, one where We All Thrive.
He went on: "I believe in the potential of Waterford to thrive in a democratised, decentralised, and decarbonised Ireland; a place where people of all ages want to stay and help to build a more accessible and empowered Déise; one which prioritises the voices of workers and carers in our communities. If you believe in this vision, please reach out to support the campaign."
