Nationals leader and NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole has described Peta Betts as “exactly the kind of candidate” the party and the people want.
Mr Toole was in Deniliquin for the pre-selection vote on Saturday between Cr Betts, the mayor of Edward River Council, and Leeton’s Sandra Williams, a long-time Nationals member.
Cr Betts won the vote, with Mr Toole saying she will be a bona fide contender for the NSW seat of Murray at March’s state election.
“We're really excited to have someone like Peta Betts — someone who's born and bred in this local area, someone who's a local champion, someone who understands the issues of the local area, and someone who's going to fight for these communities,” he said.
"Having seen how strongly Peta represents her community as mayor, I know she will do the same for the entire Murray electorate.
“She's got a lot of attributes that we'd be very proud to have as a member of parliament, and I'm excited that she's come on this journey.”
With just over 100 days until the election, Mr Toole said he knew Cr Betts would be “working tirelessly across the electorate to ensure that those issues that people raise are being heard”.
“But also making sure that we take the seat back for the people of the National Party,” he said.
“What's important here is to have someone who's actually going to raise issues, follow them through and actually want to see this electorate as a great place to live.
“All elections are different, but we'll certainly be throwing everything at this one to win it back.”
Cr Betts said she wanted to make a difference and would continue to put regional people first.
“We do need better representation here and we want to be for the people,” she said.
“The only way to be for the people is to put my best foot forward, and that's exactly what I intend to do.”
The seat of Murray is held by independent Helen Dalton, who was elected in 2019 when a member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
Ms Dalton, who resigned from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party in March 2022, won the two-party preferred vote against incumbent Nationals member Austin Evans 53.54 per cent to 46.46 per cent.