Arizona emigrant is running for President

Political leaders may not have noticed but the presidential election campaign is under way. Although the President, Mrs McAleese, is not half way through her seven-year term of office, that has not deterred an Irish emigrant in Arizona, Mr Kevin Lee, from starting his campaign.

Mr Lee, from Sligo and a retired carer of the elderly, has written seeking support to 752 local councillors in hopes of

emulating Dana Rosemary Scallon's achievement in getting local authorities to nominate her in 1997. He requires the backing of at least four councils.

He first wrote to council members in January and, following a request from some for more information, he has recently replied explaining that he wants to highlight the concerns of emigrants, including their right to vote in elections at home.

"I feel it is time some kind of recognition was shown to the people who had to leave to work and sent home their money, and who are now being asked to come back," he told The Irish Times from his home in Paradise Valley.

Now 66, Mr Lee was "one of the older ones to get a green card" when he emigrated 12 years ago.

This is not his first campaign. He unsuccessfully fought three local elections in Sligo in the 1970s and 1980s, twice as an independent and once as a candidate for Fine Gael.

He has not yet decided whether he will return to live in Ireland if he fails to secure a nomination. "I haven't made up my mind. I love the country here. Arizona is the greatest state in the union. I think I would like to come and go." The keys to Aras an Uachtarain, however, would persuade him to move home for good.