The Huon Valley Mayor, Robert Armstrong, is looking forward to moving into Tasmanian politics, after being elected to the Upper House seat of Huon.
There were seven candidates contesting the seat left vacant by Independent-turned Liberal, Paul Harriss, who won a seat in the House of Assembly at the March Poll.
Before the exclusion of Liz Smith on Monday evening, there were only four votes separating Mr Armstrong and the Liberals’ candidate Peter Hodgman, the uncle of the Premier, Will Hodgman.
But the Electoral Commissioner, Julian Type, says the gap widened after the distribution of preferences.
“The final result after we distributed Liz Smith’s preferences, was 10, 645 votes for Robert Armstrong and 8,080 for Peter Hodgman, so on a two candidate preferred basis, that’s a 57 to 43 per cent win to Mr Armstrong,” said Mr Type.
Mr Armstrong says he is thrilled to be entering the Upper House.
“I’m just so excited, you know it’s been a long three or four days, it’s been very strenuous as I think it has been for all candidates,” he said.
He says he will be a true independent, which is what voters want.
