King walks it in Bann DEA

Sam Cole of the DUP phones home after his election success. INCR22-139MJ

The former Coleraine mayor polled 1,127 first preference votes. The turnout was 54.66% and the quota 1097.

Councillor King said: “I’m very, very pleased indeed. I think this is my fourth election and to be elected

in what will probably be my final term I’m very appreciated of the the electorate for what they have done for me over a 13 year period.

“I have put a lot of work in the STC committee and it was my ambition to see the new super councils underway before I stepped down.

“We are looking forward to 40 councillors in the chamber and whether they are going to agree! But that’s all the bigger picture”.

It was also a memorable day both politically and personally for the DUP ‘s Michelle Knight McQuillan who became the first woman to be elected in Bann

“I suppose it’s a double celebration as my daughter Jessica Jane got a letter this morning saying she had been accepted into Coleraine High School,” she said.

“I want to thank the electorate for putting their trust in me. I will endeavour to pay them back in the best

Council.

“And I want to thank my friends, family and party for having faith in me and their support.

“I’m looking forward to the new challenge of the Causeway Coast and Glens Council in which I will be fighting for the rural community. However I will endeavour to work for everyone.”

Richard Holmes: “The UUP has had a business focus on the current Council and hope that this will continue within the new Council.

“The important thing is to get the ball rolling on the new Data Centre in Coleraine to bring jobs and technology into the area.

“I hope the new Council can work with Invest NI to bring business and jobs here.”

Sam Cole, another former mayor, was pleased to get in too.

He said: “To see four out of five unionist candidates elected and Sinn Fein ousted was a tribute to the electorate for following party transfer guidelines and evenly distributing their votes to maximise the unionist return.

“I would also take this opportunity to thank all those who voted for me personally and returned me to serve them for a third term in what is now a Coleraine based super-council.

“I feel honoured and privileged to represent and work for them and am thrilled and humbled to have received 892 first preference votes, in essence a 40 percent increase on my 2011 result. My thanks also to my election agent Maurice Bradley and all those who helped me canvass.”