2013 Rangitikei mayoral election
# 2013 Rangitikei mayoral election

The 2013 Rangitikei mayoral election was part of the Rangitikei and wider New Zealand local elections. On 12 October 2013, elections were held for the Mayor of Rangitikei and other local government roles. The incumbent, Robert "Chalky" Leary, ran against three other candidates and lost re-election to Andy Watson who was elected with 41.5% of the vote, a 486-vote majority over Leary whose vote share succumbed to 31.3%.

## Candidates

Four candidates stood for election:

* Richard Aslett
* Maree Brannigan (Fresh Future Focus)
* Chalky Leary
* Andy Watson

## Campaign

For the first time since 2007 there was a contested election for the Rangitikei mayoralty, as in 2010 incumbent mayor Chalky Leary was elected unopposed. On 26 June former deputy mayor Andy Watson announced his intention to run for mayor, campaigning on a more transparent council and an establishment of a finance committee. Incumbent Chalky Leary was standing for a third term in office and campaigned on a no excess and no frills council whose significant work included the Hunterville and Taihape sewerage schemes.

Mangaweka-based councillor Richard Aslett and executive officer of Rural Education Activities Programme Maree Brannigan announced their candidacies in August. Aslett's campaign was based on improving population and visitor growth principally, as well as saving services, scrapping a possible amalgamation and lowering rates. Brannigan, running on a Fresh Future Focus platform, campaigned on achieving a stable rural economy to ensure the continued thriving of business, environment and families in the Rangitikei District.

## Results

Rangitikei mayoral election, 2013 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Independent | Andy Watson | 1,983 | 41.47 | — |
| | Independent | Chalky Leary | 1,497 | 31.30 | −68.70 |
| | Fresh Future Focus | Maree Brannigan | 687 | 14.37 | — |
| | Independent | Richard Aslett | 615 | 12.86 | — |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 486 | 10.16 | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 4,782 | 99.63 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 18 | 0.38 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,856 | 49.22 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,866 | | |

Note that blank votes are not included.

