Marcus Lush back in council election mix
Twenty-seven candidates will contest 12 spots as Invercargill City Councillors.
Nation-wide broadcaster Marcus Lush will again stand for a council seat at Invercargill’s local government election in October.
Lush hosts Newstalk ZB’s 8pm to 12am weeknight slot, and in 2021, he entered politics when he stood as a candidate for the Invercargill City Council in a by-election.
That by-election was caused by the resignation of deputy mayor Toni Biddle.
He won the election in a landslide, winning more than half the votes counted.
At the next election in October 2022 contest the Invercargill mayoral election and did not stand for a council seat.
Lush placed third behind Nobby Clark and Toni Biddle, and his time on the council came to an end. But he is now looking to return as a councillor.
Lush is one of 27 candidates for 12 council spots.
Eight candidates have declared their intention to run for Mayor of Invercargill in what marks the first open Mayoral race since the 1990s without an incumbent seeking re-election.
The mayoral candidates are: Ria Bond, Tom Campbell, Stevey Chernishov, Andrew Clark, Alex Crackett, Gordon McCrone, Tom Morton, Ian Pottinger.
Nominations closed at 12 noon on Friday.
Voting papers will begin arriving from 9 September, when voting opens. It will close at 12 noon on 11 October.
Nominations closing also marks the end of term for several current Elected Members, who have decided not to seek re-election.
Alongside current Mayor Nobby Clark, Councillors Lesley Soper and Peter Kett have decided to step away from their roles, while Bluff Community Board members Sam Graham, Terina Stockwell, and long-serving member Tammi Topi are also not running for re-election.
Council Deputy Electoral Officer and Manager Governance and Legal Michael Morris said the end of the nomination period marked the start of a busy time for both candidates and voters, Morris said.
“Now is the time for candidates to get their names out there and show the people of Invercargill and Bluff just what it is they stand for.
“It is important that voters learn about the people who want to represent them for the next three years. Candidates' profiles and other accompanying information will be on the Council website in the coming weeks.”
Council Acting Chief Executive Trudie Hurst said she was impressed with the number of people who had shown up wanting to represent their community.
“It’s great to see so many passionate people showing the ultimate show of affection for Invercargill and Bluff by putting themselves out there to be an Elected Member.
“This is your opportunity to have your voice heard and to cast a vote for the person who represents what you want to see in Invercargill and Bluff.”
THE CANDIDATES
Invercargill City Council
Mayor (1 vacancy):
Ria Bond
Tom Campbell
Stevey Chernishov
Andrew Clark
Alex Crackett
Gordon McCrone
Tom Morton
Ian Pottinger
Council (12 vacancies):
Allan Arnold
Ria Bond
Trish Boyle
Steve Broad
Jay Coote
Pania Coote
Alex Crackett
Chris Dawson
Andrea de Vries
Grant Dermody
Carl Heenan
Karl Herman
Carol (CJ) Jasperse
Terry King
Amanda Laurie
Darren Ludlow
Marcus Lush
Lynley McKerrow
David Meades
Tom Morton
Dan O’Connell
Noel Peterson
Ian Pottinger
Ian Reeves
Barry Stewart
Lisa Tou McNaughton
Tony Van Der Lem
Bluff Community Board (five vacancies):
Jo Eruera
Glen Goodall
Ray Fife
Carol (CJ) Jasperse
Frazer Murdoch
Haylee Simeon
Justin Sutherland