Hodgman's uncle fails in Tas election bid

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman's uncle has failed in his bid to join his nephew in state parliament.

Peter Hodgman has been defeated after the distribution of preferences in an election for the upper house seat of Huon.

Mr Hodgman polled the highest number of primary votes - 26 per cent - among the seven candidates but finished with 43 per cent of the vote to independent local mayor Robert Armstrong's 57 after preferences.

A sitting independent, Kerry Finch, also defeated a Liberal candidate in the other seat contested on Saturday, Rosevears.

It leaves the 15-seat Legislative Council dominated by 12 independents, the Liberals holding two seats and Labor one.

"I don't doubt that people in Tasmania certainly want independents to be their members in the Legislative Council," Mr Armstrong told ABC radio.

Premier Will Hodgman led the Liberals into government for the first time in 16 years in a landslide in March.

Peter Hodgman is the brother of the premier's father, the late Michael Hodgman, a minister in the Fraser government and a state politician.

Peter Hodgman previously held the southern seat of Huon from 1974-86.

The family dynasty stretches back to the premier's grandfather, who was a member of both houses.

Tasmania's staggered upper house elections mean two or three seats are contested each year.