This chart explores voter preferences for candidates with political experience versus those from completely different fields, segmented by party affiliation. Notably, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail voters show a strong preference for candidates with political experience, both at 80%. In contrast, Aontú voters are more inclined towards candidates from different fields, with 58% favoring this option. Sinn Fein voters are more evenly split, with 46% preferring political experience and 35% open to candidates from other fields. The Social Democrats and Sol-PBP show a balanced view, with a significant portion of their voters undecided or not stating a preference. Interestingly, the 'Indep & Oths' category overwhelmingly favors political experience at 87%, the highest among all groups. This data suggests that traditional parties may have a more conservative voter base, while smaller or newer parties might attract voters open to non-traditional candidates. The variation in preferences highlights the diverse political landscape and the potential for non-traditional candidates to appeal to certain voter segments.
