THE Liberal Party preselection race continues to heat up with speculation Mount Gambier realtor Vicki Quinn is another identity considering whether to nominate.
This follows confirmation yesterday Mount Gambier councillor Christian Greco has ruled out running in the Mount Gambier branch’s upcoming preselection plebiscite.
While possible candidates are remaining tight-lipped on the preselection process, it is understood realtor and former weather officer Craig Marsh and high-profile anti-fracking campaigner Tony Beck are in the mix of potential candidates.
Graphic designer, web developer and musician Ben Hood – co-creator of George the Farmer – has also been mooted as a possible challenger.
The Mount Gambier branch has been left scrambling for a candidate just six months out from the March state election following the shock resignation of Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell from the party.
Despite the countdown to the election under way, neither the Nick Xenophon Team nor the Labor Party have announced a candidate for the Mount Gambier seat.
Mr Bell has also not ruled out running in the election as an independent.
Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas – who is taking a leadership role in the Liberal Party preselection process – said nominations close next Friday.
While declining to reveal the potential candidates, he said the Mount Gambier branch was confident there would be a quality field for the plebiscite of up to 200 Liberal party members.
He said the branch had indicated a number of people were weighing up whether to stand for preselection, which was a big decision given this opportunity had come up unexpectedly.
“The local members are confident they will get a small number of quality people for the preselection,” the Liberal veteran said.
Mr Lucas said potential candidates would be speaking to key people in the electorate to gauge whether or not they should run and discussing the opportunity with their families, employers and business partners.
“Up to 200 Liberal party members will make the decision, not anybody in Adelaide,” he said.
“Every financial member of the Mount Gambier Liberal Party branch will be entitled to one vote.”
He said around 10 people from the executive would likely attend the preselection vote, which was likely to be three to four weeks after the close of nominations.
