Claim: Simon Henig (born June 1969) was first elected as a councillor in the County Durham town, he was the agent for North Durham CLP and runner-up to be the Labour candidate to replace Tony Blair.
Evidence: Simon Antony Henig CBE (born June 1969) is a British politician, leader of Durham County Council, and since 15 April 2014, chair of the North East Combined Authority (NECA). In 1999, Henig was first elected as a councillor in the County Durham town of Chester-le-Street. From 2001 to 2008, Henig was the agent for North Durham CLP, and chair of the North East Regional Board. In 2007, Henig was runner-up to be the Labour candidate to replace Tony Blair as MP for Sedgefield.