THE four-way race for the marginal seat of Windermere is likely to throw up some surprises, with competing factors bound to pull voters in different directions. Greens candidate Vanessa Bleyer is anchoring her attack on a promise to inject youth and enthusiasm into the house of review. The Launceston lawyer's approach appears in large part to take its cues from the incumbent's age. At 70, Ivan Dean is the oldest MLC. He surprised some experts and political insiders when he announced he would recontest the Northern seat. But with age comes experience, Mr Dean has countered, and a proven track record of tightening or knocking the edges off government legislation. Ms Bleyer's twin focuses of combating a scourge of the drug ice and condemning factory freezer trawlers both seize on hot-button issues likely to resonate with voters. Former unionist Scott McLean (an ex-Labor member) and Labor candidate Jennifer Houston are essentially pitching to the same pool of voters in the traditionally ALP-leaning electorate. Mr McLean has a strong public profile and has based his campaign on the inoffensive platforms of improving education and creating jobs. Ms Houston's pitch has been more partisan, sledging cuts to essential services and alleging the conservative sitting member is far too close to the Liberal Government. The latter tactic proved toxic among voters across the Tamar last year. Mr McLean and Ms Houston's primary votes may cannibalise each other, but the tussle could give either a handy little leg-up if the count comes down to preferences. Mr Dean is a natural with law and order legislation, so has clocked up some late runs with police assault laws and gun reforms looming large in recent months. His anti-smoking legislation has dominated headlines and captured imaginations in good time, too. This race - arguably more than all others - will have pollsters' eyes fixed to their computer screens come Saturday night.
THE four-way race for the marginal seat of Windermere is likely to throw up some surprises, with competing factors bound to pull voters in different directions.
Greens candidate Vanessa Bleyer is anchoring her attack on a promise to inject youth and enthusiasm into the house of review.
The Launceston lawyer's approach appears in large part to take its cues from the incumbent's age.
At 70, Ivan Dean is the oldest MLC. He surprised some experts and political insiders when he announced he would recontest the Northern seat.
But with age comes experience, Mr Dean has countered, and a proven track record of tightening or knocking the edges off government legislation.
Ms Bleyer's twin focuses of combating a scourge of the drug ice and condemning factory freezer trawlers both seize on hot-button issues likely to resonate with voters.
Former unionist Scott McLean (an ex-Labor member) and Labor candidate Jennifer Houston are essentially pitching to the same pool of voters in the traditionally ALP-leaning electorate.
Mr McLean has a strong public profile and has based his campaign on the inoffensive platforms of improving education and creating jobs.
Ms Houston's pitch has been more partisan, sledging cuts to essential services and alleging the conservative sitting member is far too close to the Liberal Government.
The latter tactic proved toxic among voters across the Tamar last year.
Mr McLean and Ms Houston's primary votes may cannibalise each other, but the tussle could give either a handy little leg-up if the count comes down to preferences.
Mr Dean is a natural with law and order legislation, so has clocked up some late runs with police assault laws and gun reforms looming large in recent months.
His anti-smoking legislation has dominated headlines and captured imaginations in good time, too.
This race - arguably more than all others - will have pollsters' eyes fixed to their computer screens come Saturday night.
