By SYLVIA HUI, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — Voters in Ireland went to the polls Friday to elect one of two women as their new president for the next seven years, a largely ceremonial role in the European Union member country.

Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent lawmaker who has the backing of Sinn Féin and is known for her strong stance against Israel, is widely seen as the leading candidate to become the head of state. The latest polls show she holds a significant lead with about 40% of support from voters, ahead of the 20% to 25% for her rival Heather Humphreys, representing center-right party Fine Gael.

The two are the only contenders after Jim Gavin, the candidate for Prime Minister Micheál Martin’s Fianna Fail party, quit the race earlier this month over a long-ago

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