IN the seat of Warrego, the LNP's Ann Leahy told Queensland Country Life that she was “quietly confident” of securing her first term in state parliament.
Ms Leahy was preselected as the LNP candidate after Howard Hobbs announced late last year his intention to retire after holding the seat of Warrego for 21 years.
With 54 per cent of the vote counted late on Saturday evening, Ms Leahy had secured 52.6pc of the primary vote.
She appeared to have fended off strong competition from high profile candidate, former Murweh Shire Mayor Mark O’Brien, who was holding 28.6pc of the vote on Saturday evening.
Palmer United Party's Guy Sarah had 9.5pc while independent Ruth Golden held 6.5pc and the Greens Sandra Bayley had secured 2.7pc of the votes counted.
The results indicate a swing against Ms Leahy towards the ALPs Mark O’Brien but point to a conclusive win for the LNP regardless.
Ms Leahy said she wouldn’t be calling the win until postal and pre-votes were counted.
She said the win would be bitter sweet considering the likely defeat of the LNP state-wide.
“The wider result is disappointing and it shows we still have more work to do,” she said.
“I knew that it (losing the election) was always a possibility but we will have to wait and see what the final result is.”
Despite being one of the safest LNP seats in Queensland, Ms Leahy said she was up against some formidable opponents in Warrego.
“I had a pretty tough race – I had an independent that had stood four times before who was a seasoned campaigner and I also had Mark O’Brien who is also an experienced campaigner,” she said.
Mr O’Brien ran as an independent against the former member for Warrego, Howard Hobbs, in the 2012 State Election when Mr O’Brien picked up 13.19pc of the vote.
In 2012 Mr Hobbs held the seat with a 58.1pc majority.