IT was an anxious wait for Labor candidate Rob Mitchell on Saturday night as voters decided who will represent the marginal McEwen electorate.

Despite early swings in his favour, the former shoe-maker wasn’t prepared to celebrate until victory was certain. Mr Mitchell lost the 2007 election by a mere 31 votes.

“We know from last time it is going to be close,” Mr Mitchell said with his eyes on the ABC tally room broadcast.

However, for his supporters at the balloon-filled Blue Denim café in Wallan, the result was clear by 9pm. A cheer rose from the crowd as reports of a five per cent swing toward the Labor candidate began to roll in.

Celebrating with his first beer since the six-week campaign began Mr Mitchell reflected on the last four years and his achievement in taking the previously marginal seat.

“I first learned about people and the issues they face when I was making shoes in a factory,” he said.

“Since then I have had the opportunity to meet a wide range of people from all walks of life and I have listened to what is important to them. That’s the key – listening to people. Even if you disagree in the end it is always important to discuss the issues.

As Star went to print 75.1 per cent of the votes had been counted with Mr Mitchell ahead by 9455 votes in the two-candidate preferred, holding 55.69 per cent of the vote and a 5.71 per cent swing away from the Liberal Party.

In his home town of Broadford, Mr Mitchell saw a 7.5 per cent swing in his favour. At the Laurimar and Mernda polling stations he saw even larger swings, picking up an extra 13.15 and 11.33 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote.

Mr Mitchell said his first priority as the member for McEwen would be delivering on his promises, including a Wallan Superclinic and a new stadium in Wandong.

“The people have entrusted me to do a big job and I want to reward their faith by doing it properly,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Knowing it was going to be close I couldn’t take my foot off the accelerator and in the end I think we had a better message to sell, on health, the national broadband network and the economy.”

Liberal candidate and former Kinglake policeman Cameron Caine polled well in Kinglake, where he picked up an 11.47 per cent swing in his favour. Mr Caine also polled well in Beveridge where he picked up 156 votes to Mr Mitchell’s 130 in the two candidate preferred vote.

Speaking on Sunday morning Mr Caine said he was disappointed with the result but he wouldn’t concede until all the votes were counted.

“We always knew it was going to be a fight,” Mr Caine said.

“In the end I think came down to the party leaders rather than the local candidates and that is disappointing.”

Mr Mitchell described his Liberal counterpart as a fair and decent opponent.

“This was the cleanest McEwen campaign I have been involved in,” Mr Mitchell said.

“I know Cameron is passionate about bushfire recovery and I will be happy to work with him on these issues.”

Greens candidate Steve Meacher also saw a three per cent swing on Saturday with 11.64 per cent of the primary vote.