THE Nationals will release the final field of candidates seeking pre-selection on Monday.
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Nominations for pre-selection closed on Friday.
A Nationals Party head office spokeswoman said it was part of the party’s constitution to approve candidates.
“Senior members of the party decide if the candidates are fit to represent the party,” she said.
She said pre-selection candidates could be knocked back.
“There are criteria and the candidates must fill that criteria,” she said.
“If the senior members don’t think they are an ideal candidate, they will be denied.”
The spokeswoman also said the criteria could not be released.
She said Nationals members would vote for a candidate.
“The pre-selected candidate will be announced in the second week of April,” she said.
David Grimble nominates
Horsham Mayor David Grimble was the fifth person to nominate for Nationals pre-selection for the seat of Lowan.
He joins Russell McKenzie, Bruce Petering, Emma Kealy and Andrea Cross in seeking pre-selection.
Cr Grimble publicly announced his nomination on Sunday.
“I’ve been considering it for some time,” he said.
He described the role of Member for Lowan as a continuation of his involvement in local government.
Cr Grimble is in his second term as mayor of Horsham Rural City Council.
He has also been involved in many community groups and initiatives.
The Grampians bushfire in January highlighted his involvement with the Country Fire Authority as Grampians Group officer.
Cr Grimble juggled his responsibilities to the community with recovery efforts at his Brimpaen farm.
The fire burnt about two-thirds of his family’s property.
Other involvements including chairing both the Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange board of management and the Horsham Town Hall and Performing Arts redevelopment committee.
Cr Grimble said his passion was to serve his community.
“Living in the country, the more you get involved the stronger your bond to the community,” he said.
“You can set an example, make a difference and leave a legacy.”
Horsham council chief executive Peter Brown said Cr Grimble’s announcement should not impact on his mayorship leading up to pre-selection.
“If David was selected as the Nationals candidate, that’s when we would have further discussions,” he said.
Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty will retire at the November election.
The Liberal Party will not contest the vacancy.