Longstanding TD Brendan Smith has been a high-profile Fianna Fáil politician for decades, holding the seat since 1992 and serving as special advisor to the late Tánaiste John Wilson.
A native of Bawnboy, the 68-year-old lives in Cavan town giving him a strong personal vote in the west of the county.
Chairman of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, he was a vocal critic of Brexit and its impact on his border constituency.
He held a number of ministerial portfolios, including a three-year stint in agriculture when he faced a backlash over a decision in 2010 to use an EU scheme to provide free cheese to low-income families.
RM Block
He also served as justice minister in 2011 as well as minister of state for food from 2004 to 2007 and minister of state for children in 2007.
A UCD arts graduate in politics and economics, Smith is a former chair of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary body.
