THE official margin may be 14.7 per cent to the Liberal Party, but keen analysts have the two leading candidates for Port Stephens neck and neck on the brink of the March 28 state election.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The seat, won in 2011 by Liberal Craig Baumann, is under intense scrutiny since ICAC revelations of undeclared developer donations saw him resign in disgrace.
With polls suggesting a close call, candidates Kate Washington (Labor) and Liberals' Ken Jordan have been courting voters with big ticket promises in the three dominant issues: roads, health and education.
Regardless of who wins the election, Nelson Bay Road will be fully duplicated between Stockton and Anna Bay at a cost of between $65 million and $70 million, with the Liberals pledge including $3 million for Fingal Bay road link plans.
A new Labor government has committed to a $5 million expansion of Tomaree Community Hospital and associated facilities, a $40 million high school for Medowie and $450,000 to keep the Yacaaba Centre open.
A re-elected Liberal government will deliver $200 million for the extension of the M1 Motorway at Raymond Terrace, Service NSW one-stop shops for Nelson Bay and Raymond Terrace and $8 million to clear a backlog of sewerage problems in Bundabah, Nerong, North Arm Cove and Pindimar.
For a full list of what each of the candidates are promising, click here.
Find out where you can vote in Port Stephens.
The withdrawal of Mr Baumann triggered a sometimes ugly Liberal preselection ballot in which Port Stephens councillor and school teacher Ken Jordan defeated former federal candidate Jaimie Abbott.
Mr Jordan is pitted against seasoned campaigner Labor's Kate Washington, a second-time NSW candidate and lawyer who rose to prominence on the back of a campaign for a high school in her home town of Medowie.
University student Rochelle Flood from The Greens, who achieved 9 per cent of the vote at the 2011 election, has campaigned most specifically in opposition to the sand mine proposals at Bobs Farm and Williamtown.
The Christian Democratic Party's Peter Arena, a Nelson Bay real estate agent, is a longtime supporter of party leaders in the two houses, Fred Nile and Paul Green, vowing to follow their lead as "a watchdog of parliament".
The Examiner has tried and failed to contact No Land Tax candidate Joe Shirley.
While the result will come down to a race between Liberal and Labor, the minor parties are sure to play a part with preferences expected to make a significant impact on the outcome.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, yet crucially, this week Ms Flood confirmed that she would be preferencing Ms Washington in her How to Vote pamphlets.
The campaign has produced its share of twists and turns.
Having been endorsed well over 12 months ago, Ms Washington has maintained a strong pace out on the hustings.
As a latecomer, Mr Jordan's campaign has been ramped up in recent weeks, even attracting Premier Michael Baird for his first campaign visit.
The decision is now up to you - the voter - to choose the candidate you believe will best represent Port Stephens.
