Clarence "CJ" McCarthy-Grogan has been elected as the City of Darwin's newest councillor after winning the Chan Ward by-election.
The Yanyuwa, Garrawa and Kuku Yalanji man finished ahead of seven other candidates in the poll, which was held following Ed Smelt's resignation to enter the Northern Territory parliament.
McCarthy-Grogan received the highest share of first-preference votes with 21 per cent before securing 53.3 per cent of the two-candidate-preferred vote after preferences were distributed.
He defeated runner-up Nick Kirlew, while Annette Gillanders finished third and Shiva Panchalingam placed fourth.
Chan Ward includes Ludmilla, East Point, Fannie Bay, Nightcliff, Coconut Grove, Millner, Rapid Creek and Jingili.
McCarthy-Grogan wrote on Facebook that he was honoured to have been chosen to represent the area.
"I'm very grateful for the trust that Chan Ward voters have placed in me to represent them on the Darwin City Council," he said.
"It is indeed an absolute honour to win this role and I will do my very best to represent you."
The new councillor has represented Australia in wheelchair basketball and made his official Australian debut at the Tokyo Invitational Tournament in September 2019, becoming only the second Aboriginal person to represent Australia in the history of wheelchair basketball.
His entry into local government follows a career built around sport, mentoring and disability advocacy.
It also continues a family connection to public life, with his mother, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, serving as the federal minister for Indigenous Australians.
Mr McCarthy-Grogan thanked the other candidates and the volunteers who supported his campaign through door knocking, letterbox drops and community events.
"Most importantly I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that supported me with the campaign, whether that was sharing my socials, letter boxing, door knocking, meet & greets along the Foreshore, Fannie Bay/East Point track, Nightcliff and Rapid Creek Markets.
"This wouldn't have happened without having an awesome Team CJ support network, this truly was a team effort," he said.
Mr McCarthy-Grogan said travelling and living overseas had strengthened his connection to his home city.
"As I've said before, I've travelled the world and lived overseas playing the sport I love, but Darwin, this city is my home," he said.
"As a Darwin born local man, this is something I hold very close to my heart and I'm so grateful, thankful and quite overwhelmed from the love and support from my family, friends and supporters.
"Thank you for electing me as your next Chan Ward Councillor, I look forward to working with everyone very soon."
