Medway Council - Wards and Councillors

Unitary authority · South East · 59 seats in 24 wards · All seats elected every four years · Next election 6 May 2027

Labour have a majority on Medway Council. The council has 59 councillors in 24 wards. Seats by party: Labour 31, Conservative 17, Other 8, Reform 3. The next election is on 6 May 2027.

A government plan to replace the councils in this area with four unitary councils was paused for review on 7 September 2026. Elections due in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries. Source

Control

Seats by party

Labour (Majority)

59 seats - 30 for a majority

Reform 3Labour 31Conservative 17Other 8

Seat changes since the 4 May 2023 election Other +4 Reform +3 Labour −2 Conservative −5

Vote share at the 4 May 2023 election (59 seats, all wards)

ShareSeats won

Labour35.8%33

Conservative32.3%22

Other12.5%4

Green10.7%0

Lib Dem8.5%0

Reform0.2%0

Next election

6 May 2027

all 59 seats up, then every four years

Largest party

Labour 31

majority of 3; 30 needed

Closest result

All Saints

Independent won by 43 votes over another Independent candidate, 4 May 2023

Latest by-election

Cuxton, Halling & Riverside

Reform gain from Conservative, 23 July 2026 (4 since 2021)

Constituencies

3 overlap

2024Now

Voted Leave in 2016

64%

GB 52%

Wards

Who holds each ward

LabourConservativeReformIndependent

Coloured by the party holding most of the ward's seats today; where seats are split evenly, by the party with the higher share at the last election.

All 24 wards

Councillors and last results

Select a ward for its full results, candidates and last by-election.

Ward and councillors	Last election
All Saints Chris Spalding	4 May 2023 Independent 30.7% lead 4.5 pts
Chatham Central & Brompton Vince Maple, Damola Animashaun, Nina Gurung	4 May 2023 Labour 54.1% lead 32.7 pts
Cuxton, Halling & Riverside William Burvill, Matt Fearn	4 May 2023 Conservative 43.8% lead 11.9 pts
Fort Horsted Trevor Clarke	4 May 2023 Conservative 45.2% lead 13.4 pts
Fort Pitt Harinder Mahil, Gareth Myton, Smitha Campbell	4 May 2023 Labour 48.9% lead 19.8 pts
Gillingham North Douglas Hamandishe, Lia Mandaracas, Adam Price	4 May 2023 Labour 55.8% lead 35.0 pts
Gillingham South Liubov Nestorova, Dan McDonald, Louwella Prenter	4 May 2023 Labour 57.3% lead 39.3 pts
Hempstead & Wigmore Jim Gilbourne, Andrew Lawrence	4 May 2023 Conservative 59.4% lead 38.5 pts
Hoo St Werburgh & High Halstow George Crozer, Michael Pearce, Ron Sands	4 May 2023 Independent 29.8% lead 1.3 pts
Lordswood & Walderslade David Wildey, David Brake, Adrian Gulvin	4 May 2023 Conservative 53.4% lead 25.4 pts
Luton Simon Curry, Joanne Howcroft-Scott	4 May 2023 Labour 48.3% lead 15.5 pts
Princes Park Alex Hyne, Robbie Lammas	4 May 2023 Conservative 55.3% lead 26.6 pts
Rainham North Kwashie Anang, George Perfect, Wayne Spring	4 May 2023 Conservative 36.1% lead 5.5 pts
Rainham South East Gary Hackwell, Roger Barrett, Howard Doe	4 May 2023 Conservative 44.1% lead 16.2 pts
Rainham South West Mark Joy, Barry Kemp	4 May 2023 Conservative 41.2% lead 15.0 pts
Rochester East & Warren Wood David Finch, Teresa Murray, John Vye	4 May 2023 Labour 54.9% lead 28.9 pts
Rochester West & Borstal Alex Paterson, Linda Bowen, Paula Hamilton	4 May 2023 Labour 45.4% lead 11.8 pts
St Mary's Island Habib Tejan	4 May 2023 Conservative 44.6% lead 14.5 pts
Strood North & Frindsbury David Field, Stephen Hubbard, Zoë Van Dyke	4 May 2023 Labour 46.3% lead 14.9 pts
Strood Rural Gary Etheridge, Elizabeth Turpin, John Williams	4 May 2023 Conservative 48.8% lead 20.4 pts
Strood West Satinder Shokar, Sharon Jackson, Mark Jones	4 May 2023 Labour 46.1% lead 12.0 pts
Twydall Hazel Browne, Mark Prenter	4 May 2023 Labour 52.5% lead 25.2 pts
Watling Tracy Coombs, Marian Nestorov, Chrissy Stamp	4 May 2023 Labour 54.2% lead 27.5 pts
Wayfield & Weeds Wood Esther Cook, Eddie Peake	4 May 2023 Labour 47.2% lead 8.9 pts

All Saints

Chris Spalding Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Independent30.7%

Independent26.2%

Conservative19.8%

Labour12.3%

Reform5.1%

Green3.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Chris Spalding Elected	Independent	295	30.7%
Julie Wallace	Independent	252	26.2%
Harold Ogunfemi	Conservative	190	19.8%
Kier Dorran Kemp	Labour	118	12.3%
Bill Khatkar	Reform	49	5.1%
Bernard Hyde	Green	34	3.5%
Elizabeth Ann Simpson	Lib Dem	22	2.3%

Chatham Central & Brompton

Damola Animashaun LabourNina Gurung LabourVince Maple Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour54.1%

Conservative21.4%

Green13.0%

Lib Dem11.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Vince Maple Elected	Labour	1,394
Nina Gurung Elected	Labour	1,211
Damola Animashaun Elected	Labour	1,136
Paul Khera	Conservative	552
Claude Jenner Granville King	Conservative	517
Habib Odunlamin Tejan	Conservative	467
Rob O'Hanlon	Green	336
Geoff Juby	Lib Dem	295

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Cuxton, Halling & Riverside

Matt Fearn ConservativeWilliam Burvill Reform

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative43.8%

Green31.9%

Labour20.6%

Lib Dem3.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Matt Fearn Elected	Conservative	880
Phil Filmer Elected	Conservative	685
Matt Nightingale	Green	641
Cat Jamieson	Green	502
Stephen Joseph Donald McCormack	Labour	414
Victoria Valerie Morris	Labour	408
Ronald Arcon Gillett	Lib Dem	76

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 23 July 2026

Reform35.7%

Conservative30.9%

Green20.5%

Labour11.4%

Lib Dem1.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
William Burvill Elected	Reform	838	35.7%
Richard Niall Thorne	Conservative	726	30.9%
Trish Marchant	Green	482	20.5%
Iain Childs	Labour	269	11.4%
Ronald Arcon Gillett	Lib Dem	35	1.5%

Fort Horsted

Trevor Clarke Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative45.2%

Lib Dem31.8%

Labour19.6%

Green3.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Trevor Clarke Elected	Conservative	489	45.2%
Viv Parker	Lib Dem	344	31.8%
Joseph Simon Murray	Labour	212	19.6%
Matthew John Knott	Green	37	3.4%

Fort Pitt

Gareth Myton LabourHarinder Mahil LabourSmitha Campbell Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour48.9%

Conservative29.1%

Green14.9%

Lib Dem7.1%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Smitha Campbell Elected	Labour	1,726
Harinder Mahil Elected	Labour	1,634
Gareth Myton Elected	Labour	1,577
Rupert Turpin	Conservative	1,028
Richard Niall Thorne	Conservative	951
Gloria Opara	Conservative	901
Karen Scott	Green	527
Nirmal Sandhu	Lib Dem	249

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Gillingham North

Adam Price LabourDouglas Hamandishe LabourLia Mandaracas Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour55.8%

Conservative20.8%

Green13.4%

Lib Dem10.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Adam Price Elected	Labour	1,419
Douglas Kudakwashe Hamandishe Elected	Labour	1,355
Lia Mandaracas Elected	Labour	1,339
Clayton Barrett	Conservative	530
Zarina Bibi Chishti	Conservative	439
Harbans Singh Sidhu	Conservative	410
Jeremy Spyby-Steanson	Green	340
Onyx Rist	Lib Dem	254

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Gillingham South

Dan McDonald LabourLiubov Nestorova LabourLouwella Prenter Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour57.3%

Conservative18.0%

Green13.2%

Lib Dem11.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Dan McDonald Elected	Labour	1,617
Naushabah Khan Elected	Labour	1,531
Louwella Prenter Elected	Labour	1,491
Amy Smith	Conservative	509
Siju Adeoye	Conservative	471
Daniel Luis Belmonte	Green	373
George Georghiou	Conservative	373
Chris Sams	Lib Dem	322

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 6 February 2025

Labour37.4%

Reform26.8%

Conservative17.5%

Green8.8%

Lib Dem5.2%

Social Democratic Party3.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Liubov Nestorova Elected	Labour	706	37.4%
Rizvi Rawoof	Reform	506	26.8%
Saboor Ahmed	Conservative	330	17.5%
Trish Marchant	Green	167	8.8%
Onyx Rist	Lib Dem	99	5.2%
Peter Anthony Wheeler	Social Democratic Party	69	3.7%
Roshan Ali Bhunnoo	Heritage Party	12	0.6%

Hempstead & Wigmore

Andrew Lawrence IndependentJim Gilbourne Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative59.4%

Labour20.9%

Green8.2%

Lib Dem7.7%

Social Democratic Party2.0%

Christian Peoples Alliance1.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Jim Gilbourne Elected	Conservative	1,709
Andrew William John Lawrence Elected	Conservative	1,617
Lewis William John Bailey	Labour	603
Haroon Ali Khan	Labour	450
Kat Korff	Green	237
Daniel Cavaliere	Lib Dem	222
Peter Anthony Wheeler	Social Democratic Party	58
John Wesley Gibson	Christian Peoples Alliance	50

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Hoo St Werburgh & High Halstow

George Crozer IndependentMichael Pearce IndependentRon Sands Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Independent29.8%

Independent28.5%

Independent27.9%

Conservative5.8%

Labour4.5%

Green1.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes
George Josiah Thomas Crozer Elected	Independent	2,388
Ron Sands Elected	Independent	2,279
Michael Ian Pearce Elected	Independent	2,230
Robert John Tildesley	Conservative	465
Chris Sparks	Conservative	427
Fatima Mitchell	Conservative	409
Gary Barwell	Labour	358
Giuliana Paola Christmas	Labour	336
Steve Vickery	Labour	286
Julian Sutton	Green	140
Steve Hudson	Reform	94
Aaron Robert Sergejenkovs-Telford	Lib Dem	51

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Lordswood & Walderslade

Adrian Gulvin ConservativeDavid Brake ConservativeDavid Wildey Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Conservative53.4%

Labour28.0%

Green10.3%

Lib Dem8.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
David Brake Elected	Conservative	1,752
David Wildey Elected	Conservative	1,728
Adrian Gulvin Elected	Conservative	1,618
Christine Janice Godwin	Labour	917
David Alun Bowen	Labour	817
Brad Cook	Labour	777
Sonia Hyner	Green	339
Matthew William Vincent	Lib Dem	272

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Luton

Joanne Howcroft-Scott LabourSimon Curry Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour48.3%

Conservative32.8%

Green10.6%

Lib Dem8.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Simon Curry Elected	Labour	796
Jo Howcroft-Scott Elected	Labour	751
Lulu Lammas	Conservative	541
Mos Igani	Conservative	510
Debbie Sutton	Green	174
Paul Antony O'Neill	Lib Dem	136

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Princes Park

Alex Hyne ConservativeRobbie Lammas Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative55.3%

Labour28.7%

Green9.2%

Lib Dem6.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Robbie Lammas Elected	Conservative	938
Alex Hyne Elected	Conservative	933
John Strevens	Labour	486
Temi Olodo	Labour	425
Simon Marchant	Green	156
Ian Christopher Sailes	Lib Dem	116

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Rainham North

George Perfect ConservativeKwashie Anang ConservativeWayne Spring Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Conservative36.1%

Labour30.6%

Lib Dem20.1%

Green13.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
George Harry Perfect Elected	Conservative	1,210
Wayne Ronald Spring Elected	Conservative	1,138
Kwashie Amartei Anang Elected	Conservative	1,124
Mark Richard Harrison	Labour	1,025
Nikita Morris	Labour	946
Mutz Khan	Labour	907
Stuart Bourne	Lib Dem	675
Trish Marchant	Green	442
Alan William Collins Rosell	Lib Dem	402
Nicholas Chan	Lib Dem	323

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Rainham South East

Gary Hackwell ConservativeHoward Doe ConservativeRoger Barrett Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Conservative44.1%

Labour27.9%

Green13.1%

Lib Dem10.2%

Christian Peoples Alliance4.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Roger Barrett Elected	Conservative	1,455
Howard Doe Elected	Conservative	1,448
Gary Hackwell Elected	Conservative	1,430
Katrina Karen Campbell	Labour	920
Iain Childs	Labour	835
Chiron Peter Mottram	Labour	759
Mary Smith	Green	431
Christopher Charles Moore	Lib Dem	337
Roger James Peacock	Christian Peoples Alliance	158

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Rainham South West

Barry Kemp ConservativeMark Joy Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative41.2%

Labour26.2%

Green11.9%

Lib Dem9.4%

Independent7.9%

Independent3.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Barry Kemp Elected	Conservative	1,177
Mark Joy Elected	Conservative	1,027
Christopher David Brown	Labour	750
Alpa Arya Shah	Labour	498
Liz O'Hanlon	Green	341
Alan John Jefferies	Lib Dem	269
Matt Durcan	Independent	226
Callum John Evans	Independent	96

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Rochester East & Warren Wood

David Finch ReformJohn Vye ReformTeresa Murray Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour54.9%

Conservative26.0%

Green12.3%

Lib Dem6.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Teresa Margaret Murray Elected	Labour	1,658
Lauren Edwards Elected	Labour	1,517
Tris Osborne Elected	Labour	1,347
George Harvey Samuel Clarke	Conservative	784
Sylvia Griffin	Conservative	755
Tolga Sirlan	Conservative	665
Marilyn Stone	Green	370
Sarah Louise Manuel	Lib Dem	206

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 6 February 2025 (2 seats)

Reform36.7%

Labour32.9%

Conservative20.2%

Green5.9%

Lib Dem3.4%

Heritage Party0.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes
David Ian Finch Elected	Reform	870
John Melvin Vye Elected	Reform	802
Carolyn Hart	Labour	781
Robert Elton Wyatt	Labour	717
George Harvey Samuel Clarke	Conservative	479
Tolga Sirlan	Conservative	432
Doug Bray	Green	141
Jeremy Spyby-Steanson	Green	109
Anita Jane Holloway	Lib Dem	81
Sarah Louise Manuel	Lib Dem	80
Peter Richard Ede Burch	Heritage Party	21

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Rochester West & Borstal

Alex Paterson LabourLinda Bowen LabourPaula Hamilton Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour45.4%

Conservative33.6%

Green13.5%

Lib Dem7.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Alex Paterson Elected	Labour	1,807
Linda Jill Bowen Elected	Labour	1,670
Paula Wilhelmina Hamilton Elected	Labour	1,624
Stuart Tranter	Conservative	1,336
Faith Rivers	Conservative	1,080
Tim Joiner	Conservative	1,010
Stuart Samuel Worsley	Green	536
Anita Jane Holloway	Lib Dem	303

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

St Mary's Island

Habib Tejan Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative44.6%

Lib Dem30.1%

Labour20.9%

Green4.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Habib Tejan Elected	Conservative	479	44.6%
John Castle	Lib Dem	323	30.1%
David Christopher Graham Hodges	Labour	224	20.9%
Caroline Mary Bowes	Green	47	4.4%

Strood North & Frindsbury

David Field LabourStephen Hubbard LabourZoë Van Dyke Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour46.3%

Conservative31.4%

Green10.3%

Lib Dem6.4%

Heritage Party5.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Zoe Van Dyke Elected	Labour	1,774
Stephen Hubbard Elected	Labour	1,758
David Peter Field Elected	Labour	1,682
Gareth Wilf Batts	Conservative	1,202
Craig Thomas Liddell	Conservative	1,078
Akin Edun	Conservative	1,069
Andrew James Stephen	Green	393
Alexander Charles Clark	Lib Dem	245
Peter Richard Ede Burch	Heritage Party	217

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Strood Rural

Elizabeth Turpin IndependentGary Etheridge ConservativeJohn Williams Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Conservative48.8%

Labour28.4%

Green12.7%

Lib Dem10.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
John Williams Elected	Conservative	1,458
Gary Etheridge Elected	Conservative	1,446
Elizabeth Turpin Elected	Conservative	1,409
Robert Elton Wyatt	Labour	849
Elaine Thomas	Labour	786
Derek Munton	Labour	742
Neil James Atkinson	Green	379
Joanna Elizabeth Clark	Lib Dem	304
Andrew Lawrence Millsom	Lib Dem	282
Alan Wells	Lib Dem	219

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Strood West

Mark Jones LabourSatinder Shokar LabourSharon Jackson Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour46.1%

Conservative34.1%

Green9.0%

Lib Dem5.5%

Independent5.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Sharon Leigh Jackson Elected	Labour	1,338
Mark Jones Elected	Labour	1,291
Satinder Singh Shokar Elected	Labour	1,236
Isaac Ikechukwu Igwe	Conservative	991
Josie Iles	Conservative	972
Chris Buckwell	Conservative	970
Susan Griffiths	Green	262
Michael Dennis Wild	Lib Dem	159
Rob Heathfield	Independent	155

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Twydall

Hazel Browne LabourMark Prenter Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour52.5%

Conservative27.3%

Green12.1%

Lib Dem8.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Hazel Louise Browne Elected	Labour	967
Mark Prenter Elected	Labour	869
Mitchell Brewer	Conservative	502
Louise Elizabeth Smith	Conservative	489
Kate Belmonte	Green	222
Maureen Ruparel	Lib Dem	151

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Watling

Chrissy Stamp LabourMarian Nestorov LabourTracy Coombs Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour54.2%

Conservative26.7%

Green10.6%

Lib Dem8.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Chrissy Stamp Elected	Labour	1,998
Tracy Coombs Elected	Labour	1,977
Marian Angelov Nestorov Elected	Labour	1,823
Steven James Marsden	Conservative	985
Tina Louise Venus-Coppard	Conservative	817
Adam Strudwick-Long	Conservative	808
Tina Munro	Green	391
David William Yale	Lib Dem	313

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Wayfield & Weeds Wood

Eddie Peake LabourEsther Cook Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour47.2%

Conservative38.3%

Green5.8%

Lib Dem5.2%

Social Democratic Party3.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Esther Mary Cook Elected	Labour	986
Eddie Peake Elected	Labour	915
Caroline Burns	Conservative	799
Nawal Rai	Conservative	689
Judith Elizabeth Northwood-Boorman	Green	121
Herbert John Alfred Crack	Lib Dem	108
Steve Tanner	Social Democratic Party	74

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Councillors

Changed party since the election

4 councillors now sit for a different party from the one they were elected for.

Ward	Councillor	Elected as	Now
Hempstead & Wigmore	Andrew Lawrence	Conservative 2023	Independent
Princes Park	Robbie Lammas	Conservative 2023	Independent
Strood Rural	Elizabeth Turpin	Conservative 2023	Independent
Strood Rural	John Williams	Conservative 2023	Independent

By-elections

Every council by-election since 2021

4 by-elections since July 2021, 2 of them gains.

Date	Ward	Result	Winner's share
23 July 2026	Cuxton, Halling & Riverside	Reform gain from Conservative	35.7%
6 February 2025	Gillingham South	Labour hold	37.4%
6 February 2025	Rochester East & Warren Wood	Reform gain from Labour	37.0%
8 December 2022	Peninsula	Independent hold

Parliament

Parliamentary constituencies

Constituency	Share of council	2024 winner	Projected now
Gillingham and Rainham	38%	Labour	Reform 28%
Rochester and Strood	35%	Labour	Reform 28%
Chatham and Aylesford	27%	Labour	Reform 30%

Share of the council: the proportion of its census neighbourhoods (2021 LSOAs) in each seat. The projection is PollCheck's demographic model at current polling, not a forecast.

People

Who lives in Medway

279,772 residents in 111,464 households

Voted Leave in 2016

64% 12 above GB

Degree or higher

26% 8 below GB

No qualifications

19% 1 above GB

Own their home

65% 4 above GB

Rent from a council or housing association

14% 3 below GB

Rent privately

20% same as GB

Aged 15 to 34

31% same as GB

Aged 65 and over

20% 2 below GB

GB figure. 2021 Census (Scotland: 2022): age as a share of residents aged 15 and over, qualifications of residents aged 16 and over, housing as a share of households. Leave: 2016 EU referendum, Electoral Commission results by counting area.

Similar

Councils most like this one

GloucesterLiberal Democrats (Minority)East StaffordshireLabour (Majority)North NorthamptonshireReform UK (Majority)GraveshamLabour (Majority)Telford and WrekinLabour (Majority)

Closest on the measures above: the 2016 Leave vote, age, qualifications and housing. Maps show which party holds each ward.

Sources

Sources and method

Seat totals and control: PollCheck council control tracker. Councillors: Open Council Data (CC BY-SA 4.0). Election results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), with some vote counts from DCLEAPIL, Leman (2025) (CC BY-SA 4.0), and corrections checked against councils' official declarations. Ward boundaries: Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Census: Office for National Statistics and National Records of Scotland.

Councillor lists and DCLEAPIL-derived vote counts on this page are available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

In wards electing more than one councillor, a party's share counts only its leading candidate (the Rallings and Thrasher method). Independents count individually. The lead is the gap between the top two parties' shares.