Newcastle's Mayoral Byelection: Who Will Step Up After Kerridge's Departure?

The political landscape in Newcastle is set for a significant shift as the city prepares for a mayoral byelection following the resignation of Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge. With a strong field of potential candidates emerging, the race to lead Newcastle promises to be a closely watched contest that will shape the city's future direction.

Kerridge's Resignation and Immediate Aftermath

On Monday, Ross Kerridge announced his resignation as Lord Mayor of Newcastle "with deep regret" due to side effects from his cancer treatment. This unexpected development has created a vacancy at the top of Newcastle's local government structure, triggering the need for a byelection to select his successor.

While the exact date for the byelection remains undecided, the political maneuvering has already begun behind the scenes. Deputy Mayor and Greens councillor Charlotte McCabe will serve as acting lord mayor during the interim period, a role she previously held for three months while Cr Kerridge underwent chemotherapy treatment.

Potential Candidates Emerge

A diverse range of potential candidates is considering throwing their hat in the ring for Newcastle's top political position:

Charlotte McCabe: The current acting lord mayor has declined to confirm whether she will seek the position permanently, instead focusing on thanking Cr Kerridge for his leadership during his tenure.
Declan Clausen: The longest-serving Labor councillor on Newcastle council, first elected in 2015, has remained tight-lipped about his intentions while wishing Cr Kerridge well in his recovery.
Nuatali Nelmes: The former lord mayor who served for a decade before being ousted by Cr Kerridge in the 2024 election is currently transitioning from her role with the Property Council of Australia and did not respond to requests for comment about the byelection.
Jenny Barrie and Callum Pull: Both Liberal councillors have expressed interest in the position, though the party is likely to select only one candidate to represent them in the byelection.
Carol Duncan: The former Labor councillor who served on the council for seven years before losing her position in the 2024 election is another possible contender, though she has not publicly confirmed her intentions.

Political Dynamics and Strategic Considerations

The byelection presents complex political dynamics for Newcastle's council. Many sitting councillors are understood to be privately considering a tilt at the mayoral position, though publicly they are keeping their cards close to their chest. This strategic positioning reflects the delicate balance of power within the council chambers.

Cr Jenny Barrie captured the sentiment of many when she stated, "The city needs leadership and with a byelection called, all councillors will be looking at whether to run or not." This acknowledgment highlights the recognition that Newcastle faces important decisions about its future direction.

Adding another layer of complexity is the question of whether Our Newcastle, the alliance of independents led by Cr Kerridge, will field a candidate. Cr Kerridge himself offered a non-committal "we'll see what happens" when questioned about the alliance's plans, while other representatives remained similarly vague about their intentions.

Broader Implications for Newcastle

The upcoming byelection carries significant implications for Newcastle's governance and political landscape. Should a sitting councillor be elected as the new lord mayor, their vacancy would need to be filled through either a countback or another byelection, depending on the timing of the mayoral contest.

This potential domino effect could create further political uncertainty and additional electoral processes, placing additional demands on the council's operations and resources. The situation underscores the interconnected nature of local government positions and the ripple effects that can follow changes in leadership.

As Newcastle prepares for this important democratic process, residents and political observers alike will be watching closely to see which candidates formally declare their intention to lead the city forward. The byelection represents not just a change in leadership but an opportunity for Newcastle to define its priorities and direction for the coming years.