Wallsend Labor MP Sonia Hornery retires
Sonia Hornery is stepping down from the safe Wallsend seat.
Sonia Hornery announced Tuesday she won't contest next year's election despite being urged by Premier Chris Minns to stay. Sonia Hornery was elected to Wallsend in 2007 and was one of only two Labor MPs to survive the 2011 Liberal landslide in the Hunter region.
Labor's margin in the seat stands at 31.8 per cent, making it one of the party's safest. The party is expected to endorse a female successor under its internal gender quotas.
Hornery said she's willing to endorse the selected candidate but only if they commit to putting the community first. One Nation is among parties likely to run a candidate now that Hornery won't be on the ballot.
At 64, Hornery said she wants to spend time reading, walking her dog, swimming and travelling with friends.
- 31.8 per cent
- Hornery's margin in seat
- 19 years
- Years representing Wallsend
- 64
- Hornery's age
- 2
- Hunter Labor MPs surviving 2011
Why it mattersThe retirement of a long-serving local MP and one of Labor's safest seats creates a succession question for New South Wales politics.
AustraliaThe move opens Labor's safest Hunter region seat to new candidates and shifts the political landscape for New South Wales ahead of next year's election.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
