Sanderson is an urban electorate, covering 21 km2 and taking in the Darwin suburbs of Anula, Marrara, Wulagi and part of Malak.

However, Andrew was defeated by the Labor Party's June D'Rozario when the ALP swept into the Assembly in 1977, taking several seats.

Sanderson then reverted to the ALP in 2001, when Len Kiely was swept into office amid Labor's sweep of north Darwin.

In the 2016 election, Styles was heavily defeated by Labor's Kate Worden amid the CLP's collapse in Darwin.

Worden picked up a swing of over 13 percent, turning Sanderson into a safe Labor seat at one stroke.