McHugh was a candidate in the 2019 MEP elections for the Midlands North-West constituency. She studied genetics in University College Dublin and has a Masters in sustainable agriculture. She lives on Achill Island. She previously worked on agricultural projects in America.

Mayo has been going the one direction for 50 years but it doesn't have to be that way. Things can be so much better. People and nature can thrive, but it will take political will.

Reversing the trend of rural decline with imaginative and fair climate action. We can own our own energy, support farmers, revitalize towns, improve health care and transport while restoring wildlife, protecting communities from flooding, paying farmers for biodiversity and ensuring everybody has a warm, safe, energy-efficient home.

I think we have to address the influence and access that large lobby groups have to legislators. Removing or constricting their power would free up the Dáil to work in the interests of people, rather than in the interest of large companies.