Labor Keeps Port Adelaide, Ramsay in South Australian by-elections - Herald Sun

LABOR has retained the two seats in the South Australian parliament vacated by retiring former premier Mike Rann and his former deputy Kevin Foley, despite a big swing against the party in Port Adelaide.

Labor was expected to win but faced stiff competition in Port Adelaide where Susan Close won Mr Foley's former seat despite a swing of more than nine per cent to the local mayor, independent Gary Johanson.

Provisional electoral commission figures had Dr Close on 53.2 per cent and Mr Johanson on 46.8 on a two party preferred basis.

Mr Foley had held the seat since 1993.

In Ramsay, tourism industry official Zoe Bettison retained the strong Labor seat that Mr Rann had held since 1993.

Ms Bettison, who had 54 per cent of first preferences, still had a strong buffer of 18 per cent after a 10 per cent swing against the ALP at the 2010 state election.

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