Independent Philip Penfold has claimed victory in the Maitland mayoral race over incumbent Loretta Baker.
Cr Penfold said on Tuesday that he was committed to representing voters and the city "to the best of my ability".
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He claimed the mayoralty with 51.3 per cent of the vote to Cr Baker's 48.7 per cent after preferences, a swing of 6.1 per cent in his favour after he lost to Cr Baker in 2017.
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"I would like to thank Cr Loretta Baker for her contribution as Mayor of Maitland over the past 4 years," he said in a message on social media.
"While we don't always see eye to eye on issues, her passion for our city is undeniable and I look forward to working with her and all councillors for the betterment of our community."
The Liberals' Ben Mitchell won 14.6 per cent of the vote.
Cr Baker (Labor) was re-elected as a councillor in central ward.
She said it had been an "honour and privilege" to serve as Maitland's first female mayor.
"However, the people have spoken, and in a democracy they never get it wrong," she said.
Each of the four wards appears destined to be represented again by one Labor, one Liberal and one independent councillor.
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Michael Parris
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
