KEY POINTS:
One's a black man and president elect of the world's most powerful nation.
The other is a middle-aged pakeha man who is now the MP for Hamilton West.
But National candidate Tim Macindoe says there is a connection and it was something of a good omen for him when Barack Obama was elected as president of the United States earlier this week.
"I will point out that on Tuesday a 47-year-old wearing the blue colour became president of the United States and I did take it as a good omen that perhaps a 47-year-old wearing the blue colours might just become the new MP for Hamilton West," Macindoe said.
Mr Macindoe fulfilled the prophecy and Hamilton West, historically known as a bellwether seat once again reflected the country's mood as he defeated Labour incumbent Martin Gallagher mirroring the want for change nationwide.
He celebrated his victory with his wife and two daughters and more than 100 supporters at Waikato Stadium after polls showed Mr Gallagher would not assail his significant lead despite nearly 4000 votes that had to be counted.
An ecstatic and relieved Mr Macindoe, who was winning the last battle between the two in 2005 with 86 per cent of the vote only to lose, said he was "elated" and "a bit humbled" by the whole experience.
"It's been a fantastic experience for me ... I felt that it was going well but I was never certain."
"It was really when we got to about 80 per cent of the vote that I thought the lead was unassailable."
Earlier, Mr Gallagher saw the writing on the wall and said he had been let down by "an apparent poor turnout".
His own support headquarters at the Trade Union Centre in the city was a sombre affair in comparison to the Montana-catered evening at the stadium where some Macindoe supporters had special "TM" logos shaved into their heads.
Some of his campaign team shed tears as the result became increasingly apparent.
But in a gracious and touching acknowledgement of Mr Gallagher's three-term service to Hamilton, Mr Macindoe embraced his opponent tightly as his National supporters applauded loudly when he arrived to deliver his concession speech.
"Notwithstanding our political differences, Tim Macindoe is now my member of Parliament," said Mr Gallagher.
"And I don't think tonight we should ever forget as Kiwis and Hamiltonians that what unites us is far more important than what divides us ... when it comes to working for Hamilton we are on the same team to advance the interests of our city."
Mr Gallagher, who said he would spend the next week personally thanking the volunteers in his campaign team, said Mr Macindoe should "not be afraid of banging on tables with the beaureaucrats" when trying to get a better deal for his electorate.
Mr Macindoe, well down the party list on 55, said his party came into government in "very difficult times" with "challenging circumstances".
He said there were pressing local issues.
"Not least of which is the Waikato Expressway and we see that as a big part of public growth that we need in our region."
"Also Ive campaigned very strongly on social issues particularly the breakdown in social cohesion."
