According to the Wagga Daily Advertiser, it was a decisive vote against the continuance of the Labor government led by Jack Lang.

It remained safely Liberal for most of the last half-century, despite being located in the midst of an area considered Country/ National heartland.

This tradition was broken in 2018, when longtime Liberal member Daryl Maguire was forced out of politics due to a corruption scandal.

McGirr retained the seat with an increased majority at the 2019 state election, with the Liberals standing down in favour of the Nationals.

Unlike the preceding by-election, the National candidate won the notional "traditional" two-party matchup with Labor.