Dr McGirr spoke to supporters and media just before 8.45pm on Saturday night, nearly three hours after polls closed and vote counting began.

"What a night! I'm pretty comfortable that we are there," Dr McGirr said.

"I know that there is a big (early vote) to count, but I must say the booth so far tonight indicate that we have at least 40 per cent of the primary vote.

"On the two party preferred, (election analyst) Antony Green has called it for us on the ABC."

Dr McGirr was elected Wagga MP in September during a byelection created by the resignation of the seat's long-standing Liberal MP Daryl Maguire was embroiled in an ICAC investigation.

Dr McGirr won just over 25 per cent of the primary vote last year.

With just over 27,000 votes out of a likely 48,000 counted in Wagga at 9.50pm on Saturday, Dr McGirr was on 44.13 per cent of the primary vote

Dr McGirr's nearest rival, Nationals candidate McKenna Powell, was on 26.27 per cent.

Labor's Dan Hayes was 14.59 per cent.

READ MORE: The Daily Advertiser election night live blog

A preference count of more than 18,000 ballots had Dr McGirr on 64.70 per cent of the two party preferred vote.

On Saturday night, Dr McGirr was still urging "caution" from his supporters as the results came in.

"It was a really big ask just six month after the last campaign," he told his 150 election day volunteers.

"I don't think I even realised what would be required by everyone to get us over the line, but we got there and it was, of course, because of the people who voted for us."

Dr McGirr said his victory would mean "this seat continues to count in NSW and issues like climate change are not ignored by the government, but are tackled properly".

"I think we have put these issues on the agenda," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has heaped praise on Nationals candidate Mackenna Powell as her supporters gathered to watch the results roll in.

"She gave it her best shot. She has left nothing in the tank," Mr McCormack said.

Mr McCormack said it "takes a lot of guts to put your hand up for politics".

"It takes a lot of courage and it takes a lot of courage to be the only woman in the ballot," he said.

Ms Powell had earlier become emotional as she thanked her family, particularly her dad, and her volunteers for their help.

On the state level, Labor leader Michael Daley conceded defeat just before 10pm on Saturday night.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared victory for the Coalition at 10.10pm. 

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