# David Pocock elected to Senate

> David Pocock has been elected to the final senate spot for the ACT. Mr Pocock edged out Liberal Senator Zed Seselja to become the first independent to hold the seat.

By Jonathan Foye · 16 June 2022 · News

Canonical: https://insights1.uca.org.au/articles/david-pocock-elected-to-senate/

David Pocock has been elected to the final senate spot for the ACT.

Mr Pocock edged out Liberal Senator Zed Seselja to become the first independent to hold the seat.

His election campaign centred on the environment, integrity in governance, and territory rights.

This win marks the first time that there has not been a Liberal Senator elected for the territory.

In a statement published to [**Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=581850853307001&set=a.391760465649375), the Senator Elect paid tribute to the efforts of his volunteers and voters.

![](https://insights1.uca.org.au/media/khumqgtm/pocock-statement.jpg)

**Via Facebook**

“For the first time, we have an independent voice representing our community in the federal parliament,” he wrote.

“I acknowledge the work of outgoing ACT Senator Seselja after nine years representing us and wish him and his family all the best.”

Mr Pocock has publicly spoken about the role of his Christian faith in inspiring him to get involved in politics, citing Dietrich Bonhoeffer as an influence. He has also cited [**Óscar Romero**](https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/archbishop-oscar-romero-becomes-a-saint-but-his-death-still-haunts-el-salvador) and [**Walter Wink**](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/us/walter-wink-theologian-who-challenged-orthodoxy-dies-at-76.html), among others. His wife Emma previously told ***[The Atlantic](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/10/david-pococks-legacy-will-persist/599827/)*** that she remembers him going through “a big [**Ched Myers**](https://sojo.net/biography/ched-myers) phase” as well as introducing him to some of her own favoured authors.

He previously played Rugby for Australia, retiring from the sport in 2020 to concentrate on his conservation efforts.