There are now four confirmed Liberal candidates vying for pre-selection in the seat of Gilmore, with Shoalhaven entrepreneur and mother Jemma Tribe throwing her hat into the ring on Thursday.
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This toughens the competition for former NSW transport minister Andrew Constance, who in September, announced he would leave state politics to run for the South Coast marginal seat of Gilmore in the upcoming federal election.
It was a move that had the backing of Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
"Andrew has an outstanding local reputation and a great deal to offer at the federal level, especially given his experience in the NSW Government," said Mr Morrison.
A party insider confirmed with the South Coast Register that Vincentia's Jemma Tribe and Sanctuary Point's Stephen Hayes had nominated for pre-selection ahead of Friday's deadline.
Ms Tribe, president of the Shoalhaven Business Chamber and owner of the Nowra Community Food Store, resigned from the Liberal Party state executive and entered the nomination Thursday night, November 18.
Living in the region for the past 30 years, Ms Tribe has been involved in local politics as a former Shoalhaven City councillor and has worked with former Gilmore MPs Ann Sudmalis and Joanna Gash.
Ms Tribe has been a well-supported candidate for the seat for a long time, but Kiama MP Gareth Ward took a sharp jab at former Member for Gilmore Joanna Gash who welcomed nominations from Tribe and Constance.
"Unlike the former Member for Gilmore (Joanna Gash) who has shown...a lack of commitment to the Liberal Party by getting involved in backing the factional allies, I'll leave it up to the membership to decide," he said.
Mr Hayes, who served in the Royal Australian Air Force for almost 30 years and has held a military command, is also running for the seat.
He is a former staffer of the retired Liberal Party politician Christopher Pyne.
In 2018, Mr Pyne hailed the candidate as an "international management expert" when he appointed Mr Hayes as the National Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Facilitator.
Paul Ell, Nowra-based lawyer and president of the Gilmore Federal Electoral Conference (FEC), has also been confirmed as a nominee.
The 31-year-old has been involved in politics in the region for some time, having worked on several election campaigns for Kiama MP Gareth Ward.
Mr Ell is also running for Shoalhaven City Council in the upcoming December 4 local government elections.
As soon as possible
Mr Ward, who has been vocal about head office and Mr Morrison interfering with imposing a candidate on the community, said he hoped pre-selection happens "as soon as possible" ahead of nominations closing today.
"I hope the party has a free and fair democratic process and that the pre-selection happens as soon as possible," he said.
"Members want the right to choose their candidate.
"And that decision should be left entirely for the members of the local Liberal Party branches.
"Any attempt to impose a decision by head office will be roundly condemned by not just the membership but liberal voters and the broader community."
A leaked email from Mr Ell to local members earlier in the month "assured branch members a democratic pre-selection will be held in Gilmore".
"Ever since becoming the FEC President, I have been a strong advocate for a local plebiscite pre-selection in Gilmore," the email said.
"At our last meeting, the FEC carried a motion unanimously calling for this to occur."
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