Tees Valley Mayor election: Conservative Ben Houchen retains role

Ben Houchen has retained the position he first won in 2017

Conservative Ben Houchen has been re-elected as Tees Valley Mayor in a landslide victory.

He beat Labour's Jessie Joe Jacobs, the only other candidate.

Mr Houchen said he was "overwhelmed and humbled" and would "fight the region's corner" after winning 73% of the vote.

The mayor leads the Tees Valley Combined Authority which covers the five boroughs of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton.

• Tees Valley mayor voting

Mr Houchen said he wanted to bring "attractive jobs" and investment to the area.

He said: "We've made a fantastic start and I am confident the things we have put in place will bring benefits for everyone across our region, but there is still a long way to go."

Labour's Jessie Joe Jacobs was the only other candidate and secured 27% of the vote

Ms Jacobs said she had faced a "David versus Goliath" battle against the incumbent Mr Houchen, before adding: "We've got a job to do to hold you to account."

He secured 121,964 votes compared with 45,641 for Ms Jacobs, with a further 1,056 papers rejected.

There was a 34% turnout.

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Election counts took place with social distancing

Mr Houchen is a solicitor who previously represented Yarm and Kirklevington on Stockton Borough Council.

He lives in Yarm with his wife Rachel, a French teacher at a local secondary school.

He won the first Tees Valley mayoral election in 2017 with one of his big pledges being to revitalise Teesside International Airport.

On that occasion, he beat Labour's Sue Jeffrey by a little over 2,000 votes after second preference votes were counted.

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