History was made on several fronts in Ardee last night (Monday) when Kate Karpenko became the 100th local election candidate to be selected to run for the Labour Party, the first Ukrainian-born candidate to run for the party and also the first woman to be selected by Labour in the Mid-Louth electoral area.
As a solar eclipse was happening behind the clouds outside, a packed room of supporters in the Ardee Business Centre, set Kate Karpenko off on her campaign to secure a seat on Louth County Council.
Addressing the room, Kate told her story: “I came to Ireland almost two years ago, following the outbreak of war in my home country of Ukraine. For all of those two years I have been living in Ardee.
“Ardee is now very much my home and I am committed to the area. Because I am involved with the local community, I know the issues they are concerned about. I know the things local people would like to see improved.”
Kate has a wealth of political experience behind her. She has a background in sociology and worked in politics in Ukraine before being forced to flee the war-torn country.
Kate explained: “The ideas of the Labour Party are close to my own and I’m sure the experience I have will be useful and can benefit the local community.”
Clearly moved by the support in the room for her candidacy, Kate said: “First, I want to say thank you to Ireland for giving us so many opportunities. I’m also grateful to the members of the Labour Party for choosing me as their candidate.
“A meeting with Ged Nash, changed my life. I can say a lot about Ged but I just want to thank him for believing in me. Thank you too to all the people who have motivated me on this journey, with whose support I have grown and who make me stronger.”
Louth Labour TD, Ged Nash attended the selection convention in Ardee and said that Kate was “an inspiration”.
He told the new Labour candidate: “You now have the opportunity to change lives and I firmly believe that you will change lives with the work you are doing with our party and in putting your name forward for this election, to represent all the people of the Mid-Louth area.”
He added: “Once you are living here, you have an entitlement to vote here in the Local Elections and to contest the Local Elections. I think there is no stronger message of integration than to being prepared to involve yourself in the community and put your name forward to represent that community in a democratic election.”
Deputy Nash said: “Kate is a natural advocate for people. She is always looking out for other people, always helping, always advising, always supporting.”
“Kate’s story is an inspiring one, and she is an inspiring person and I know the people of this area will see that over the next few weeks, as we approach these important elections.”
