Two of the candidates set to reclaim their seats on Wagga City Council have confirmed they will be running for mayor.
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Labor lead candidate Dan Hayes and incumbent deputy mayor Dallas Tout will both be vying for the top spot once their re-election is confirmed.
The pair are among the eight candidates who seem assured of a spot on the new-look council, along with Mick Henderson, Richard Foley, Amelia Parkins, Rod Kendall, Jenny McKinnon and Tim Koschel.
This is the first time Mr Hayes has confirmed he will be standing for the position.
"After the election result, it's pretty apparent the community wants someone that can work with the staff and council, advocate for the community and make the tough decisions," Mr Hayes said.
"That's what I've been doing for the past five years so I felt it was what was best for the community that I go for mayor."
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Mr Hayes was first elected to council in 2016 and his Labor ticket picked up 23 per cent of the first preference votes in this year's election - a tally beaten only by Clean Out Council.
He believes the work he has done over the past five years has shown he has what it takes to lead the city forward.
"I've been turning up and doing the role with the seriousness it deserves, not just as a hobby, and I think people responded to that on election day," Mr Hayes said.
Mr Tout has served as Wagga's deputy mayor for six years and was first elected to the council in 2012.
He has made it no secret he hopes to don the mayoral chains and believes his experience as deputy mayor leaves him in good stead to take the position.
"Where the city is moving in the next several years is critical and the need for experience and leadership is a requirement," Mr Tout said.
"I feel I have the experience and the ability to lead and ensure all communication lines are open between the elected body, staff and the community."
Rod Kendall served as Wagga's mayor between 2012 and 2016 but said he is waiting for the election results to be confirmed before deciding if he will fight for a return to the top spot.
"I haven't discounted that ambition but who is elected and what the mix is on council will to some extent determine my decision," Mr Kendall said.
Mr Foley and Mr Henderson both said it would be unlikely they go for the position.
Miss Parkins and Dr McKinnon both ruled out running for mayor while Mr Koschel could not be contacted.
The mayor will be decided through a vote among the new councillors at the opening council meeting on January 10.
Wagga's new council will be confirmed once the counting and preference flow is finalised from December 21.
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