He had previously narrowly lost a contest against veteran independent Liz Cunningham for the state seat of Gladstone at the 2006 Queensland state election.
However, after a strong local Labor campaign focusing on Cunningham's perceived support for controversial federal industrial relations laws, she came close to defeat, with her eventual victory over Labor candidate Chris Trevor being one of the last results declared of the election.
Merce Cunningham | Liz Phair | Michael Cunningham | Allan Cunningham | Randall Cunningham | Liz Smith | Liz Lemon | Liz Heaston | Allan Cunningham (botanist) | Sean S. Cunningham | Liz Smith (actress) | Liz Carroll | Liz McClarnon | Chris Cunningham | Ward Cunningham | Liz Sheridan | Liz Carr | Imogen Cunningham | Bill Cunningham (talk show host) | Bill Cunningham | Liz Duffy Adams | Liz Anderson | Keiron Cunningham | Johnny Cunningham | Billy Cunningham | Alexander Cunningham | Steve Cunningham | Roseanna Cunningham | Richie Cunningham | Richard Cunningham McCormick |