[3] Docherty unsuccessfully contested the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Newland for the Liberal Party at the 2014 state election.
[citation needed] During his time as a Deputy Mayor/Councillor he had been a champion of a number of causes, the most notable being the creation of the Playford Health Precinct around the Lyell McEwin Hospital.
[5] In the months following his election, Docherty was prominent in the South Australian and Australian Press with announcements and interviews regarding his keen interest on expanding employment opportunities in Playford, promoting the new SCT Rail Terminal,[6] and promoting a study into the potential renewal of the suburbs of Elizabeth.
[9] Docherty also secured over 15 million dollars from the Federal Government and the University of Adelaide in building the Stretton Centre.
[20] At the start of the 2011 SANFL Season, Docherty was named the Number 1 ticket holder for the Central District Football Club.
[22][23] On 16 April 2013 the Sunday Mail included Docherty in its 2013 list of South Australian Rising Stars, acknowledging his contribution as Mayor of Playford, and his aspiring political career.