Nick Garvey wins Newport South By Election
Liberal Democrat Nick Garvey has won a seat in Newport Town Council's South ward, vacated after Conservative Jonathan Dix, who was elected on May 2, declined to take up his seat.
A petition of voters in the seat forced a fresh election, held on Thursday.
Mr Garvey, who won with 253 votes, was one of five candidates vying for the seat on Newport Town Council. Conservative Sarah Pearson was the nearest challenger on 184. Labour's Sarah Branton polled 53.
There were two independent candidates in the race. Wendy Hesbrook received 119 votes, while Andrew Griffin - who planned to withdraw from the race, but missed the deadline and instead asked voters to support Mr Garvey - polled 14.
Mr Garvey, who recently started a petition calling for a rethink of a new road off the A41, claiming it would be dangerous, said: "I want to give back to Newport. I live here, my children go to school here, residents demand better for Newport - they want safe routes to school and crime at the top of the agenda. I want to be their champion."
He joined the Liberal Democrats last year, and praised party town councillors Thomas Janke and Sarah Syrda, saying his election will "further strengthen that team".
Mr Garvey joined Councillor Janke and Conservative councillor Tim Nelson in representing the South ward.