They came, they saw but they failed to conquer.

In fact, the Coalition fell well short of its expectations for the four local Labor seats of Hunter, Paterson, Newcastle and Shortland at the weekend.

Before the federal election kicked into full gear, The Nationals and Liberals were quietly confident of usurping incumbents Dan Repacholi, Meryl Swanson and Pat Conroy.

But, all three were returned to Hunter, Paterson and Shortland respectively.

And, as of 11.30pm on Saturday 3 May, Mr Repacholi and Mr Conroy had increased their margins, 4.17% and 4.02%, in the past three years.

Ms Swanson, however, slipped 3.3% although her opponent, Laurence Antcliff, didn’t fare much better, as the Liberals dropped 9.86%, with the minor parties and Independents benefitting.

As for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon romped home again, this time ahead of The Greens.

The popular member picked up 39,307 votes, or 45%, to continue her reign, which started in 2013.

Charlotte McCabe (The Greens) and Asarri McPhee (Liberal) secured 20,054 (22.96%) and 16,420 (18.80%) individually.

However, the big winner locally was Mr Repacholi.

After stepping into the shoes of retiring Joel Fitzgibbon, he’s now made the seat of Hunter his own.

He finished up securing 29,704 votes, or 42.10%, while his main rivals Sue Gilroy (The Nationals) and Stuart Bonds (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) only managed 13,543 (19.19%) and 11,684 (16.56%) each.

Mr Conroy can be well-pleased with his efforts, too.

Even though the Liberal party went hard at him, he still collected 35,223 votes (44.69%).

His opponent Emma King, meanwhile, snared 20,544 (26.06%).

Counting will continue over the coming days.

Results (as of 11.30pm on Saturday 3 May)

Hunter

• Stuart Bonds (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) 11,684 (16.56%)
• Sue Gilroy (The Nationals) 13,543 (19.19%)
• Andrew David Fenwick ( Legalise Cannabis Party) 3,740 (5.30%)
• Victoria Davies (Animal Justice Party) 952 (1.35%)
• Paul Farrelly (Family First) 1,707 (2.42%)
• Kyle Boddan (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party) 1,472 (2.09%)
• Suellen Wrightson (Trumpet of Patriots) 2,501 (3.54%)
• Dan Repacholi (Labor) 29,704 (42.10%)
• Louise Stokes (The Greens) 5,260 (7.45%)

Newcastle

• Jennifer Stefanac (Trumpet of Patriots) 3,129 (3.58%)
• Steve O’Brien (Socialist Alliance) 1,377 (1.58%)
• Charlotte McCabe (The Greens) 20,054 (22.96%)
• Asarri McPhee (Liberal) 16,420 (18.80%)
• Sharon Claydon (Labor) 39,307 (45.00%)
• Jason Briggs (Family First) 1,859 (2.13%)
• Robert Creech 697 (0.80%)
• Phillip Heyne (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) 4,509 (5.16%)

Paterson

• Rod Holding (Independent) 715 (1.39%)
• Meryl Swanson (Labor) 19,015 (36.93%)
• Arnon Wither (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) 4,270 (8.29%)
• Philip Penfold (Independent) 4,243 (8.24%)
• Paul Johns (The Greens) 4,450 (8.64%)
• Laurence Antcliff (Liberal) 13,114 (25.47%)
• Sandra Lyn Briggs (Family First) 1,222 (2.37%)
• April Maree Scott (Independent) 668 (1.30%)
• Peter Arena (Trumpet of Patriots) 1,366 (2.65%)
• Daniel Dryden (Legalise Cannabis Party) 2,422 (4.70%)

Shortland

• Geoffrey Mark Robertson (Libertarian) 1,106 (1.40%)
• James Pheils (Independent) 3,634 (4.61%)
• Pat Conroy (Labor) 35,223 (44.69%)
• Barry Reed (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) 6,744 (8.56%)
• Pietro Di Girolamo (Family First) 2,247 (2.85%)
• Emma King (Liberal) 20,544 (26.06%)
• Therese Doyle (The Greens) 9,326 (11.83%)

For more news stories:

• ‘Honour of my life’ says jubilant Albanese
• Thousands of local homes fast-tracked in state housing push
• Dutton concedes election as Labor eyes larger majority

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