Declan Clausen confirmed as Labor’s Newcastle Lord Mayor by-election candidate

24 February 2026

newy.com.au – Newcastle Labor members have preselected Cr Declan Clausen unopposed as the party’s candidate for the City of Newcastle Lord Mayoral by-election.

The poll was called after Lord Mayor Dr Ross Kerridge resigned effective 9 February 2026 to prioritise his health, with Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe to exercise the functions of the Lord Mayor until the by-election is held.

Clausen said he was “humbled by the unanimous support of more than 500 rank-and-file Labor members” and was ready to take his message “directly to the people of Newcastle”. “I’m honoured to have the backing of local Labor members and fellow councillors, and I’m ready to put forward a positive plan for our city’s future,” he said.

An engineer by profession, Clausen has served on council for 11 years, including seven as Deputy Lord Mayor, and said practical problem solving would be important in the months ahead. “The Lord Mayor leads a $450 million organisation. It’s a big responsibility,” he said.

Labor said Clausen had helped deliver new footpaths, 35 new playgrounds and new fenced dog parks across Newcastle’s suburbs, and backed major projects including the Summerhill Solar Farm and the widening of Minmi Road. He said he initiated Newcastle’s $2 pool entry trial to help ease cost of living pressures, telling members: “I know families are doing it tough right now.”

“That’s why I fought to introduce the $2 pool trial, a simple and practical way to lower costs and make local services more affordable at our inland pools,” he said. Clausen also said tackling housing affordability would be a priority. “If we want a fair future for Newcastle, we must pull every lever available to tackle the housing crisis,” he said.

In background information released by Labor, Clausen was described as having grown up in Wallsend and living in Newcastle his entire life, with an engineering degree from the University of Newcastle, a Masters from the University of Oxford, and postgraduate qualifications in accounting. Labor said he lives in Lambton with his partner Steven and dog Toby, and that if elected he would be the city’s youngest and first openly gay Lord Mayor.

The contest is expected to include Newcastle Greens candidate Charlotte McCabe and independent contender Gavin Morris, with the election administered by the NSW Electoral Commission.

Rolls close at 6pm on Monday 9 March and nominations close at 12 noon on Wednesday 18 March, ahead of election day voting from 8am to 6pm on Saturday 18 April.