| Election Name: | 2013 Rangitikei mayoral election |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2010 Rangitikei mayoral election |
| Previous Year: | 2010 |
| Next Election: | 2016 Rangitikei mayoral election |
| Next Year: | 2016 |
| Election Date: | 12 October 2013 |
| Candidate1: | Andy Watson |
| Party1: | Independent politician |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,983 |
| Percentage1: | 41.47 |
| Candidate2: | Chalky Leary |
| Party2: | Independent politician |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,497 |
| Percentage2: | 31.30 |
| Mayor | |
| Before Election: | Chalky Leary |
| After Election: | Andy Watson |
The 2013 Rangitikei mayoral election was part of the Rangitikei and wider New Zealand local elections. On 12 October 2013, elections were held for the Mayor of Rangitikei and other local government roles. The incumbent, Robert "Chalky" Leary, ran against three other candidates and lost re-election to Andy Watson who was elected with 41.5% of the vote, a 486-vote majority over Leary whose vote share succumbed to 31.3%.[1] [2] [3]
Four candidates stood for election:[1] [4]
For the first time since 2007 there was a contested election for the Rangitikei mayoralty, as in 2010 incumbent mayor Chalky Leary was elected unopposed.[5] On 26 June former deputy mayor Andy Watson announced his intention to run for mayor, campaigning on a more transparent council and an establishment of a finance committee. Incumbent Chalky Leary was standing for a third term in office and campaigned on a no excess and no frills council whose significant work included the Hunterville and Taihape sewerage schemes.[6]
Mangaweka-based councillor Richard Aslett and executive officer of Rural Education Activities Programme Maree Brannigan announced their candidacies in August. Aslett's campaign was based on improving population and visitor growth principally, as well as saving services, scrapping a possible amalgamation and lowering rates. Brannigan, running on a Fresh Future Focus platform, campaigned on achieving a stable rural economy to ensure the continued thriving of business, environment and families in the Rangitikei District.[4]
Note that blank votes are not included.