ANOTHER election run and won; the state to retain the Coalition government and the vast majority of the region to remain in the hands of The Nationals.
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Hardly a surprising result, given the polling, but perhaps expected to be a little closer in the seat of Tamworth, where former member Peter Draper was back to take on Nationals incumbent Kevin Anderson.
It was all over before 8.30pm, though, in the electorate of Tamworth, with Mr Draper bowing out gracefully while Mr Anderson vowed to get on with the job.
The remaining five candidates slipped quietly away from Election 2015, knowing they were never really in with a chance but putting their hand up anyway, in order to give voters a genuine choice at the ballot box.
This is one of the great things about our democracy – as tiresome as it can seem at times – the fact anyone is welcome to put themselves forward for election, and the fact so many do.
It’s not an easy thing to put yourself and your beliefs on the line in this fashion; to expose yourself to the scrutiny and often ridicule that is part and parcel of a bruising political campaign.
So, regardless of your particular political ideology, all these candidates should be applauded, because there’s nothing as dull as a two-horse race.
This campaign has been bruising, too, the gloves off at various times, something Mr Draper alluded to in his concession speech.
There’s no doubt The Nationals threw a lot of resources at the seat, determined to keep what Mr Draper called the party’s “jewel in the crown”.
Could they be accused of “playing the man” in some instances, in Mr Draper’s words? Well, that was up to voters to determine and voters made their choice on Saturday.
Mr Anderson recorded a handsome victory and he should be congratulated for his efforts, maintaining a high public profile for the duration of the campaign and promising much to the electorate.
A lot of expectations come with so many promises, though, and it’s now up to Mr Anderson to deliver, something he’s already acknowledged.
The community has gotten used to the attention lavished on it by so many high-profile members of the government in recent months and will expect its needs and concerns to remain a priority.
Particularly with so much money to spend, if the part sale of the state’s poles and wires goes ahead as expected.
It promises to be an interesting four years.
