He has secured less than four per cent of the vote.

"With (Stuart) Baker and Kylie King coming into it and Daryl (Betteridge) it was always going to be a hard ask," Cr Thurley said.

"We've gone the way of the big name recognition with Kylie King on the radio and Steve Bowen out and about all the time.

"I was relying on my reputation and nine years of hard work and clearly that was not enough."

Cr Thurley cited his work on the audit, risk and improvement committee and the Murray Darling Association as highlights of his council stint.

He hopes to remain national president of the association until its annual conference is held in Albury next May.

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Cr Thurley said he had no plans to contest the next council election, even though the United States' leader could provide inspiration.

"I know Joe Biden became the president at 78, but I'm not going to do a Joe Biden," he said.

Former mayor Henk van de Ven was also abandoned by electors, netting under five per cent of the vote.

That followed him being charged by police last week with intimidating fellow candidate Ross Hamilton.

Wodonga mayor Kev Poulton said Cr van de Ven had often been at community events which he had not expected him to support through his presence.

"I'm sure no-one would be proud of what's happened, but he's done a good job at times in representing his community and it just goes to show you how hotly contested that election was," Cr Poulton said.

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