The Upper Hunter Shire mayor, financial advisor, Nationals candidate and community man has come out the winner of the state seat in the NSW State Election held on Saturday. 

With the former State Member for Upper Hunter George Souris, also a National party figure, retiring, the seat was wide open and the contest was close with the Country Labor party’s Martin Rush producing the best result for his party in the Upper Hunter in many years. 

In a fierce ending to a long campaign, Mr Rush received about 47 per cent of the two party preferred vote compared to Mr Johnsen’s 53 per cent, with a swing of around 20 per cent. 

Of the total primary votes (53,484) in the Upper Hunter, Mr Johnsen received 11,679 votes, followed by Mr Rush’s 9186.

Third position was taken by Independent candidate Lee Watts who received 5787 of the votes, followed by Greens candidate John Kaye with 1498, Christian Democratic Party candidate Richard Stretton with 603 and No Land Tax candidate Louisa Checchin with 438 votes. 

Speaking to The Scone Advocate on Monday morning, Mr Johnsen was still smiling after more than 20 years of hard work had finally paid off. 

After first joining the National Party in 1990, Mr Johnsen ran for the seat of the Upper Hunter in 1996 before taking a step away from politics to raise his two children with his wife Zenda. 

It was in 2010 that he was approached to run for the Federal Election, which he did, and then again in 2013.

He said it was a very close and very hard fought campaign, and from his perspective it is very humbling and a real privilege to be selected as the member.

Mr Johnsen will stand down as mayor of the Upper Hunter following the State Poll’s actual declaration on Wednesday, with the election of a new mayor to take place later in the month.

Being a councillor since 2008, Mr Johnsen will continue in his role as a councillor until the council’s general election September next year, which will prevent the need for a by-election. 

He will be based at the former office of Mr Souris in Muswellbrook, as he believes there is no need to waste tax payers money on changing offices and it is a suitable and central location in the electorate.

Mr Johnsen said there is no such thing as overnight success and he feels his passion and dedication to campaigning throughout the years demonstrates his commitment to the Upper Hunter to the wider community. 

“I would like to thank all the electors and voters in the Upper Hunter, regardless of whether or not they voted for me, and reassure them that I am here to represent everyone,” he said. 

Looking to the future, the top priorities Mr Johnsen strives for in the Upper Hunter are continuing to progress the Scone bypass, delivering the Murrurundi water pipeline, starting  progress of the new Murrurundi Multi-Purpose Service and delivering the committed money to various roads starting with the Golden Highway in the west of the shire.

Mr Johnsen said he feels very confident in his ability to do the job effectively.

“The other candidates put in good strong campaigns and I would particularly like to congratulate Martin Rush for his intelligent and competitive campaign. 

“Thank you to all my volunteers and supporters, and a particular thank you to George and Vassy Souris for their advice and guidance,” Mr Johnsen said. 

“Last and most importantly thank you to my family - Zenda, Ben and Lucy, as they have gone through the ups and downs of my community activities with me and without their support we would not have achieved this result.”