Widow Chris McLafferty to replace husband Jim on and Tea Tree Gully Council after by-election

CHRIS McLafferty is poised to replace her late husband Jim on Tea Tree Gully Council after being provisionally declared the landslide winner of a by-election last night.

Chris McLafferty with a photo of her late husband, Jim. Picture: AAP/Roy VanDerVegt

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CHRIS McLafferty is poised to replace her late husband Jim on Tea Tree Gully Council after being provisionally declared the landslide winner in the Steventon Ward by-election last night.

Mrs McLafferty told the NorthEastern Weekly in last month she was out to continue her husband’s legacy following his death in November after a long battle with ill health.

He represented Steventon Ward, which covers the suburbs of Surrey Downs, Fairview Park, Banksia Park, Tea Tree Gully, Vista, Yatala Vale, Houghton, Upper Hermitage, Gould Creek and part of Golden Grove, since 2006.

Mrs McLafferty said she was notified of the result at 5pm yesterday with 1316 first-preference votes, well ahead of her five other rivals.

The closes, Justin Bennett, received 437 votes.

“It looked like I was so far in front,” she said.

“I’m on cloud nine at the moment, I feel a bit numb.

Jim and Chris McLafferty at their Tea Tree Gully home last May. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

“There were cards of condolence for Jim, then this follows, it’s like I’ve been taken on this wave of good vibes.

“Jim may not have been a particularly big man, but boy, he’s left some very big shoes to fill.

“I will try very hard to follow in his footsteps.”

Mrs McLafferty is expected to be announced the winner on Thursday, however a recount could still be held over the next few days.

She will meet with the council’s chief executive officer, John Moyle, tomorrow before being officially sworn in at a council meeting on March 13.

Mrs McLafferty said she didn’t sleep much last night as reality started “hitting home”.

“It’s wonderful people have come out like this,” she said.

“I was kind of like in a bit of a daze. It hadn’t dawned on me that this was reality.

“It was overwhelming, I’ve had so much support from people – well-wishers.”