Joanna Gash
MERCURY SAYS
Elections at all levels of government can at times be unpredictable.
However, few could not have forecast Gilmore MP Joanna Gash's landslide victory in the Shoalhaven local government elections on Saturday.
Mrs Gash (pictured) secured a thumping 63 per cent of first preference votes in the race for mayor, annihilating her rivals in every booth.
ELECTION COVERAGE: Gash elected mayor in landslide victory
There's no doubt the Shoalhaven's 16-year love affair with Mrs Gash continues, and the strong result will also guarantee Team Gash candidates at least six, probably seven, seats on the new council.
But federal politics differs greatly from local government.
There's no room for party politics, the cash pool is far smaller and there's no escaping to Canberra.
Only time will tell whether Mrs Gash's solid track record as an MP and her popularity among her constituents can translate to being a successful mayor.
Meantime, Kiama council's former general manager and present deputy mayor looks set to step into the town's top job. Brian Petschler's group secured almost 30 per cent of first preference votes, putting him in line for promotion.
The Kiama Greens bucked a state-wide downturn against their party to land 22.7 per cent of the vote.