Community has say on mayor race
The Chronicle polls names community mentioned on social media
TOOWOOMBA residents want to see Mayor Paul Antonio re-elected in the next council election, according to a Chronicle poll.
But the results have revealed another councillor is also a community favourite for the position.
The Chronicle polled five people for the council’s top job after their names were prominently featured in a social media call-out.
WHO do you want to see in the council’s top job?
The 2020 local government elections might be months away, but the question already has our community talking.
According to a Chronicle poll, there are two preferred candidates – and both are current members of Toowoomba Regional Council.
Most of our readers want to see Paul Antonio remain in the mayoral spot, after he attracted 42 per cent of the vote.
But Cr Geoff McDonald, described by one social media user as the “people’s councillor”, didn’t lag too far behind.
Cr McDonald received 28 per cent of the poll vote.
Coming in behind them in the vote was former state Labor member Kerry Shine, previous Greens candidate and disability advocate Alyce Nelligan, and current councillor Nancy Sommerfield.
The Chronicle created a poll for these five people after they were prominently mentioned in a social media call-out, and none have confirmed their candidacy.
The poll results come just days after some major developments in the Toowoomba mayoral race.
Earlier this week, Mr Shine revealed he was still weighing up a shot at the mayoral position.
“It’s something I am considering and I think I should make up my mind soon if I’m going to run one way or the other,” he told The Chronicle.
“People have approached me, but at the moment I haven’t made any decision. You have to weigh up a number of things, including family and other matters.
“That’s what I have to work out – do I have the time?”
Cr Antonio said he had decided whether or not he would seek re-election next year – but remained tight-lipped on that decision for now.
“I know exactly what I’ll be doing and I’ll be telling that in my own time frame,” Cr Antonio said.
“I’ll be making that announcement in November.”
Cr Antonio was first elected into the position in 2012, and was comfortably re-elected in 2016 with more than 75 per cent of the first preference vote.
Cr Sommerfield told The Chronicle last month she would seek re-election.
Cr McDonald hasn’t confirmed his candidacy but said he was happy with his current job.
The next local government election will be held on Saturday, March 28 next year. Who do you want to see as mayor? Vote in our poll at thechronicle.com.au, or send a letter to the editor to letters@thechroncle.com.au.