Just after 10pm Mr Yule called his win in the Tukituki seat with more than 3000 ahead of Labour candidate Anna Lorck with about 90 per cent of votes counted. Surrounded by about 50 supporters, friends and family at their election night venue in an empty shop in Heretaunga Street, Ms Lorck reflected on a hard-fought campaign.
Former Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule is on the cusp of winning the Tukituki electorate- ripping it from longtime Labour campaigner Anna Lorck.
Yule quit the mayoralty earlier this year and announced his bid for the Hawke's Bay electorate, coming into direct competition with Labour's Lorck who was campaigning to takethe seat from National incumbent Craig Foss.
Foss announced earlier this year he would not be standing in this year's election, leaving the candidacy open for the first time since 2005.
Yule almost immediately threw his hat in the ring.
He previously said that while others hoped he might become Prime Minister, he had his eye solely on becoming a cabinet minister with a focus on environment portfolios.
