Callum Pull says he won’t seek Liberal Lord Mayor nod ahead of Newcastle by-election

newy.com.au – Newcastle councillor Callum Pull has confirmed he has not nominated to be the Liberal candidate for Lord Mayor ahead of the City of Newcastle by-election on Saturday 18 April 2026.

The by-election was triggered after Lord Mayor Dr Ross Kerridge resigned effective Monday 9 February 2026 to prioritise his health and family while continuing to experience side effects from recent cancer treatment. Under the Local Government Act, Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe is exercising the Lord Mayor’s functions until the vote.

In a statement released on Friday 27 February 2026, Pull said: “I have not nominated to be the Liberal candidate for Lord Mayor.” He added: “I am very excited and looking forward to supporting the Liberal candidate for Lord Mayor who will be announced soon.”

Pull is the Liberal councillor for Ward Four and served as Newcastle’s Deputy Lord Mayor from 2024 to 2025, while also holding external director roles including Newcastle Airport and Local Government NSW.

Candidates have begun locking in their campaigns, with Labor endorsing councillor Declan Clausen and the Newcastle Greens selecting McCabe as their candidate.

Independent candidate Gavin Morris, a former television presenter, has also announced he will run, with Kerridge publicly backing his candidacy.

The NSW Electoral Commission is administering the by-election and says voting is compulsory, with the electoral roll for the poll closing at 6pm on Monday 9 March 2026. Candidate nominations open on 9 March and close at 12 noon on Wednesday 18 March.

Pull said the Liberal candidate for Lord Mayor would be announced soon, as the formal nomination window approaches. The Electoral Commission’s timetable indicates the count is due to be completed on Monday 4 May 2026, with results to be declared on Tuesday 5 May 2026.