Independent candidate in the May 2 Nepean by-election, Tracee Hutchison, has announced she will not be contesting the November 2026 state election.
After the by-election, Hutchison announced she would re-contest in November. Her decision to now not run came after reassessing her capacity to mount another campaign so quickly off the back of the May 2 by-election.
Hutchison ended up third in the first preference battle with 8533 votes (21.05% of the primary vote), with One Nation’s Darren Hercus (9941votes: 24.52%) and Liberal Anthony Marsh (15682 votes: 38.68%) polling higher.
Hutchison moved into second place in the two-candiate-prefered race, after the distribution of preferences. In the end, in Hutchison held 14903 votes (36.76%), with Marsh holding 25642 votes (63.24%).
Marsh, although attracting 3932 less primary votes for the Liberals than in the 2022 state election, ended up lifting the Liberal’s margin in the seat from 6.68% under Groth to 13.24% after the by-election.
“Our by-election campaign was all about doing politics differently. Full of hope and belief that people-powered politics can make a big impact. And we did. Finishing second with 37% 2CP, from a 21% primary vote achieved in an 8-week campaign, is unprecedented for an Independent in Nepean. But the campaign was brutal, and I welcome the Victorian Electoral Commission interest in campaign behaviour,” said Hutchison.
“Voting is compulsory, so there is an obligation to ensure participation in that process is safe for everyone involved – voters and candidates. I know politics is a tough game, I’ve reported on it as a journalist for decades, but to see voters caught in cross-party abuse and mistruths about candidates as they entered the polling booth undermined what our privilege to vote should be about.”
Hutchison paid tribute to her many supporters, volunteers, the Indies for MP and voters who put her number one on their ballot paper, citing her strong result in Nepean as proof the failure of two-party politics is driving voters to other options.
“I’m really proud of the campaign we ran, we never once went low, and I’m humbled and grateful for the belief and trust Nepean voters placed in me at the ballot box,” said Hutchison.
“We proved that a genuine grassroots community-led campaign can have a huge impact, and we’ve sent a strong message that the major parties are on notice.
“There’s been a steady build in support for State and Federal Independent candidates in the last few elections cycles on the Mornington Peninsula. I acknowledge those who have come before me and look forward to seeing that momentum continue.
“Right now, I’m looking forward to going back to my job at Southern Peninsula Community Support advocating for people in crisis, continuing my involvement with local environment and climate action campaigns, championing our brilliant creative community, our world-class tourism operators and showing up for the community I live in, work in, vote in and love – which I’ve been doing for many years.”
