Former officer ‘shocked’ by by-election win

Former police officer Andy Fraser says he is "absolutely shocked" to have won the Gore District Council’s Gore ward by-election.

Mr Fraser, now sales manager at Southland Farm Machinery, has been declared the winner of the by-election.

Mr Fraser polled 634 votes, ahead of Steve Hamlin (574) and Alan Byrne (441).

The by-election was triggered in May by the resignation of long-standing councillor Bret Highsted.

He thought he might have a chance to win the election but knew he was up against some good candidates, he said.

"I still haven’t really got my head around the whole thing.

"I’m really pleased the people of Gore got out and voted."

The voter return was 39.77% (2189).

sandy.eggleston@odt.co.nz