Keys 'stoked' with by-election victory

Russell Keys is the winner of the Carterton byelection and will take up his role on the Carterton District Council next week. PHOTO/FILE

The son of Carterton District's first mayor won his first political foray yesterday.

Electrical contractor and volunteer fireman Russell Keys has secured the Carterton by-election with a clear majority, receiving a provisional total of 679 votes.

Brian Deller obtained 441 votes, Grant Smith received 397 votes, Tracey O'Callaghan 362, Jenny Chalmers 242, Rob Harris 172 and Jacqui Malcolm 153.

As of yesterday there were still 100 papers to be counted.

Mr Keys said he had no inkling that he would be the successful candidate.

"I'm a bit surprised to be honest."

"I'm really, really stoked and really quite humbled that the people of Carterton have decided that they want me to represent them on the council."

Mr Keys hoped to celebrate his win over a family meal.

He is the son of former Carterton Borough and Carterton District mayor Barry Keys, who served as mayor from 1983 to 1995, and was the first mayor after council amalgamation in 1989.

Mr Keys will be making a formal declaration and will take up his position as councillor at the next meeting on February 25.

On the top of his agenda as councillor would be learning more about the super-city, Mr Keys said.

"Obviously the super-city is something that I'll have to spend more time on," he said.

Council electoral officer Milan Hautler said 2450 or 38 per cent of voting papers had been returned.

He expected that figure to rise to around 40 per cent once the outstanding papers were counted.

There were no further special votes to be included.

At the last triennial election, 45.6 per cent of papers were returned, which was a decrease on previous years, Mr Hautler said.