IT started as a lovefest for coal, featured controversy over a former prime minister and has seen funding pledged to everything from greyhound tracks to gin distilleries.
But finally, the campaigns of the 13 candidates seeking election in Upper Hunter, have come to a close.
The by-election was called seven weeks ago, after former Nationals MP Michael Johnsen resigned to fight a rape allegation. He has denied any wrongdoing.
He won the 2019 election with a margin of 2.9 per cent, leaving the Nationals in serious danger of losing it this time round given the average swing against governments in by-elections over the past decade is in double digits.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian wrote off the Coalition's chances of victory early and said there would be no spending spree during the campaign. But the Liberal-National government has committed to an array of projects, notably upgrades to Muswellbrook Hospital ($45 million), Singleton Police Station ($12 million) and the two town's bypasses ($25 million-plus).
"The reality here is, look at our track record on the ground," Deputy Premier and NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro said on Friday.
"We've opened up the chequebook during this campaign in a very strategic way. We're ready for stage three of Muswellbrook Hospital because we completed stage one and two.
"By luck or chance that this is on the eve of the budget this year, it gives us an ability to do more and that is what we're doing. It's a balance of what we've achieved in the past and some promises to get us to the [next] election."
Labor candidate Jeff Drayton accused the Nationals of reacting to his party's pledges, rather than stepping forward with its own.
"You've seen myself and the party move around the electorate making a number of commitments, things like the bypass and Muswellbrook Hospital ... and day after day, week after week - the Nationals have followed us around and matched those commitments," he said.
"You would think if you held this seat for more than 90 years, you would have a bit of an idea yourself where the neglect lies in this region."
While Mr Drayton will need Labor to win government in two years to fulfill his pledges, he said the government had failed to match Labor's commitment to spend $100 million of coal royalties in the region and the bill the party has proposed supporting mine workers.
Mr Barilaro refuted suggestions from candidates that the government had neglected the area over the years and the funding pledges would be empty promises.
"The beauty for this electorate is they get to judge us again," he said. "They can vote us in - don't change that jockey mid-race - but in 18 months, if we haven't done a good job then, of course send us a message then."
The Deputy Premier has spent weeks in the region during the campaign. He has been giving his mobile number out at public forums, so committed has he been to the retaining the seat. There is a lot riding on it for both the Nationals, who have lost ground to the Shooters in recent years, and the Coalition, which is in minority government.
But with Labor firming in the odds, Mr Barilaro said the by-election might well come down to preferences.
"There's 13 candidates in the field and the preferences are flying everywhere," he said. "There's deals done right across the board.
"We're saying to people vote 1, save your ink, save the environment - you don't need to number all your boxes. You don't know who you will end up with."
