John Cronin, the highest polling candidate in the Tauranga Constituency, is being challenged for the key position of chairing Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
Western Bay's Jane Nees will be nominated, along with Mr Cronin, at tomorrow's pivotal meeting in Whakatane where the new council will be sworn in.
Mrs Nees, asecond term councillor who has chaired the regional land transport committee, said she was approached to put her name forward, and she wanted to provide an option.
Mr Cronin is aiming to become the first councillor to chair the regional council for a fourth term.
He said he would be very happy to carry on as chairman.
"I've done three terms and no one has ever done a fourth. Jane (Nees) is challenging and it's serious.
"If I'm not selected, then I'm thankful to the 17,500 people who voted for me," Mr Cronin said.
Former accountant Mr Cronin, who has been a regional councillor for 12 years after a similar period with the Tauranga council, topped the poll with 17,543 votes.
He was followed in the Tauranga Constituency by last term's deputy chairman, Philip Sherry, with 15,411 votes, ahead of newcomers Doug Owens, son of the late Sir Bob Owens, on 12,469 and Paula Thompson on 12,352.
Mrs Nees gained strong support in the Western Bay Constituency, attracting 6339 votes, and Ian Noble retained his seat with 4848 votes after a close battle with former Western Bay district councillor Norm Bruning.
Last term Mr Cronin was challenged by Neil Oppatt who retained his seat in the Rotorua Constituency this time around.
