Irish Independent senator and presidential candidate David Norris, who happens to be gay, comes out ahead in the nation’s latest polls.

The election is not until October, and Norris has not yet secured his party’s nomination, but many Irish are already leaning towards the 67-year-old gay rights activist and James Joyce scholar.

Norris won the support of 25% of likely Irish voters, four points ahead of the second most popular candidate. Norris gets much of his support from Dubliners, as well as those aged 35-49.

Should Norris be elected president of Ireland, he would be the first openly gay male to lead a nation.