Conservative Alan Craig said he was thrilled to become a new Fife councillor.
He was at the forefront of a surge of Conservative support that has swept through the region.
Speaking after his election, he said: “I’m quite surprised to be honest, but exhilarated. I started off thinking about how good it might be to get more votes than Jim Leishman and I’ve done that.
“I’m going to bring some hard talking. If myself and the other councillors spot a pothole let’s go and get it fixed.
“I want to get stuff done, people are fed up of tribal politics. I want to get things done.”
However, Mr Craig’s shock was matched by others in the hall after the SNP’s leader in Fife, Neale Hanvey, missed out.
It means that the party will need to seek a new leader, who could possibly become leader of the next administration.
Jim Leishman retained his seat for Labour, along with party colleague Garry Haldane, while Jean Hall Muir was returned for the SNP.
