1 October 2026
The SDLP has selected Councillor Pete Byrne to contest Newry and Armagh in the 2027 Assembly election following a selection convention of party members.
Byrne has served as a councillor for ten years, including as SDLP Group Leader and Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and has twice contested the constituency at Westminster.
Councillor Byrne runs a business in Crossmaglen, where he lives with his husband. He has been involved in a wide range of community and voluntary organisations across South Armagh and has been a strong advocate for rural communities, better transport links and LGBT+ equality.
Following his selection, Pete Byrne said:
“I’m incredibly grateful to SDLP members across Newry and Armagh for putting their trust in me.
“I want to be a relentless champion for Newry and Armagh – fighting for Daisy Hill, supporting our local businesses and farmers, developing the potential for this region through the Belfast-Dublin economic corridor, improving infrastructure and ensuring that our towns, villages and rural communities get the public services they deserve.
“Too much of this area has been left waiting by Stormont and the Executive. Our health service is under enormous pressure, families are struggling to find homes and vital infrastructure has been promised for years without enough progress.
“If the past week teaches us anything, it is that we need to move forward and do politics differently. For the SDLP, that means making things work today whilst planning for a New Ireland in the future, and I am looking forward to taking this message to the people of Newry and Armagh in the weeks and months ahead.
“I also want to pay tribute to Justin McNulty and his work representing people across this constituency, particularly his determined campaign to secure access to CAR-T cancer treatment for patients in Northern Ireland.”
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP said:
“Pete brings significant political, business and community experience to this campaign. Over ten years in local government and two Westminster campaigns, he has demonstrated his determination to work hard for people, deliver for his community and grow support for the SDLP.
“Pete will build on the strong representation that Justin McNulty has provided, and I want to pay tribute to Justin’s significant contribution to our party and to the people of Newry and Armagh. He has been a strong voice in holding the Executive to account across a range of issues, not least its failure to deliver Casement Park. He has a huge role to play in the future of this party.
“The SDLP is ambitious about growing our representation at the next election. Pete will bring enormous energy and determination to that task, and I look forward to campaigning alongside him as we work to win the strongest possible mandate for the SDLP.”